Johannes Wirtz, LL.M. (London)

As partner in our Finance & Financial Regulation Group in Frankfurt, I advise our national and international clients on banking regulatory issues and finance law.

My daily work is focused on regulatory issues regarding credit institutions, financial services institutions, payment service providers, e-money institutions and investment funds (managers) as well as the interdependence of regulation and digitalisation. This involves giving advice to fintech, insurtech and regtech companies as well as their investors on various matters from regulation through investment structures to ownership control. I work on licensing, registrations and alternative structures avoiding regulation, as well as on anti-money laundering laws, including the connection with anonymous products.

Additionally, I work on cross-border financing matters, in particular regarding project financing in relation to renewable energy and infrastructure projects as well as LBOs. This regularly involves debt funds and their regulatory environment or relates to questions on CRR. I also have experience in the acquisition of distressed loan portfolios.

I am actively engaged in thought advancing, sector-focused and academic writing on crypto-currencies and crypto-financing methods. I contribute to the discussion by regularly publishing scientific articles as well as blogging for our website and in industry news updates.

• Secondment to our Sydney Office where I worked on banking and payment regulatory issues also with a focus on the Australian crypto-market.
• Mastercard: Advised on the German Anti-Money Laundering legislation and providing ongoing advice on all matters of German and European banking supervision law as well as on the supervision of payment services. Advised on the development of new products and complementary offers.
• Infront ASA: Advising Oslo-listed Infront ASA, the leading market data and trading solution provider in the Nordics, on its acquisition of the German vwd Group, a leading Europe-wide provider of information and IT solutions for the investment industry, including banking regulatory assessment of the target and coordination of the ownership control procedure with BaFin.
• Wirecard: Advised on the launch of a new banking product, which combines a bank account with a mobile app solution and a debit card; the product sets new standards regarding merging electronic payment services, mobility and safety.
• Further advice on the provision of a co-branded card product, including licensing of a mobile payment app, issuance of credit cards, payment processing for credit cards and processing of a loyalty program.
• Techstars: Advised the US-based startup accelerator on several matters of different types, including formation of an investment fund, support with the registration process at the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), preparation of investment documentation for limited partnerships and the tax structuring of the alternative investment fund.
• SevenVentures GmbH: Advised on media investment in insurtech company Clark.
• A German Bank: Advised on the financing of several wind farms in France.
• International investment firm: Advised and assisted with BaFin application following the effects of Brexit.