| Switzerland
Sebastian Hepp, Attorney-at-Law at Zürcher Rechtsanwälte AG, advises and supports startups and established companies in implementing their innovative business models in the blockchain, technology and financial sector. He guides his clients from the initial conceptualisation and structuring through to their operational business, with a focus on the realisation of their vision and regulatory compliance.
Legal Expertise for Blockchain Startups & Companies
Sebastian has gained several years’ experience at leading Swiss business law firms, with a primary focus on blockchain/DLT and financial market regulation. He has advised numerous global blockchain projects on establishing their businesses and launching their crypto ventures in Switzerland. Clients value Sebastian for his ability to bridge legal, technical and strategic perspectives – a key strength when navigating the complexities of blockchain-based innovation. He is dedicated to enabling innovation through law, supporting clients in transforming disruptive ideas into compliant and scalable businesses for the Web3 era.
Legal Services for Blockchain Startups & Companies
Sebastian’s legal practice focuses on the structuring and regulatory assessment of blockchain-based business models. His areas of expertise include:
• Legal classification of tokens;
• Structuring and documentation of token offerings (TGE, ICO, STO), including drafting of relevant agreements (SAFT, Early Contribution Agreements, Token Purchase Agreements, etc);
• Regulatory assessment and structuring of decentralised applications (dApps), DeFi platforms and other blockchain projects;
• Legal structuring of DAOs and incorporation of legal entities to protect token holders;
• Tokenisation of Real-World Assets (e.g. tokenised shares, real estate and other assets);
• Compliance with AML and KYC obligations in blockchain-related business models.
Sebastian is admitted as both an attorney and notary public in the Canton of Zug – Switzerland’s renowned “Crypto Valley”. His legal expertise is particularly valued in interdisciplinary settings, where legal innovation must keep pace with technological progress – from structuring tokenised issuances to developing regulatory-compliant DeFi infrastructures.
Switzerland as the World’s Leading Blockchain Hub
Switzerland, with its clear and robust regulation in the DLT/FinTech sector, continues to be an attractive hub for innovative startups and companies worldwide. The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) established a solid legal framework for token issuance through its ICO guidelines in 2018, positioning Switzerland as a leading jurisdiction for DLT/FinTech projects to this day. Sebastian is also highly experienced in PoW or PoS consensus mechanisms, which support Layer 1 blockchain projects – many of which came to Switzerland seeking structures similar to the Ethereum Foundation, which is also based in Zug.
