Eric Romba

My main areas of practice

I develop the regulatory frameworks that enable digital financial products to become truly viable. Several of the projects I have supported my clients on are regarded as ‘pioneers’ in German digital asset law: For example, in 2026 I was responsible for securing the first ZAG licence granted in Germany for a MiCAR crypto-asset service provider, and as early as 2019 I acted as legal architect for Germany’s first BaFin-licensed security token offering (Bitbond).

I advise banks, securities firms, payment service providers, crypto-asset service providers (CASPs), fintechs, digital platforms, investors and corporates at the intersection of capital markets law, regulatory law and digital product architecture.

A particular focus is on authorisation procedures under MiCAR, the German Securities Act (WpIG), the German Banking Act (KWG) and the German Payment Services Act (ZAG), as well as on digital capital market structuring, including the eWpG and tokenisation.

As a ‘regulatory architect’, I don't just interpret regulatory complexity; I also play an active role in shaping structures that enable new technologies to become economically viable.

In addition, I advise on DORA and IT compliance, on payments and the topic of ‘digital ID’, as well as on cross-border matters between Germany, Switzerland, the USA and Israel. In doing so, I either help established institutions adapt to the new landscape or support challengers in operating within the regulatory framework.

My approach combines in-depth technical understanding with legal precision: I am convinced that the legal framework can be shaped by technical arrangements and vice versa – legal structures that work with technology rather than against it. Clients come to me when a digital financial product is breaking new legal ground and there is no ready-made blueprint – and they leave with a structure that stands up to scrutiny by the regulators and works in the market.

As a qualified business mediator, I bring structure to complex discussions and decision-making processes. I highlight interests, organise issues and bring different perspectives together – calmly, clearly and in a solution-oriented manner. I apply this skill in conflict resolution, strategy and sparring situations, thereby reinforcing what matters to me: personal interaction, a distinctive legal personality and a reliable client relationship – even in an increasingly digital environment. For me, being a lawyer means more than just providing legal advice: I take a holistic approach and aim to help my clients develop their businesses.

I advise my clients in German and English.
 

Recommendations

Chambers, Legal 500 and JUVE list me in the fields of digital assets and financial market regulation – in Tier 2 of the Chambers FinTech Guide 2026, and as a leading partner in the Legal 500 FinTech Guide 2026. Clients describe me in the JUVE ranking as a “top adviser with a strong industry network”; WirtschaftsWoche and the Handelsblatt Research Institute have also recognised me for my work in banking, finance and capital markets law.
 

Publications

I am the author of numerous specialist articles on the regulation of digital assets and financial market law, including in *Fondsbrief*, *RDi*, *RdF* and *Der Betrieb*. My topics range from the world of digital securities (the eWpG transition framework, tokenisation) and crypto fund units, ELTIFs and the Future Financing Act, to regulatory developments such as BaFin’s circular on crypto custodians and current case law (including the ECJ judgement of 12 September 2024 on the disclosure of investor data).
 

Personal Engagement

I am a regular speaker at industry conferences. On LinkedIn, I analyse the latest regulatory developments relating to digital assets and financial market regulation, and engage in active professional dialogue with the industry.