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J. Dax Hansen

Partner

J. Dax Hansen

  • Firmwide Lead, Payments/Money Transfer, Fintech Industry Group

Dax helps innovators transform and adopt technology and financial services.

J. Dax Hansen is a technology transactions and regulatory lawyer who has pioneered blockchain, digital currency, payments, and fintech law. Top industry publications have recognized him for his work at the forefront of the fintech and blockchain industries for over a decade. 

Dax has advised clients on industry "firsts," including the first bitcoin exchanges and tokenized assets, the first public company adoption of bitcoin as a reserve asset, and the first mainstream non-fungible token (NFT) auction. He founded the firm’s Fintech industry group, which has served clients operating at the intersection of emerging technologies and financial services. He combines his technology experience with knowledge of complex financial services regulatory requirements, including money transmission, anti-money laundering, prepaid access, unclaimed property, consumer credit, privacy and data security, and payment processing, to assist clients with product counseling, consumer and commercial contracting, business formation, and industry consortia. Much of Dax's work is international, and he maintains a Japan-related technology practice. 

Education & Credentials

Education

  • Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, J.D., Editor-in-Chief, Brigham Young University Journal of Education and Law, 1998 - 1999, 1999
  • Arizona State University, B.A., summa cum laude, with honors, 1996

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Washington

Related Employment

  • Supreme Court of Japan, research Japanese legal system under direction of Chief Judge Atsuo Nagano, 1995-1996
  • Harada, Uchida, Sugiyama & Horii Law Offices, Tokyo, Japan, Intern, 1995-1996

Additional Languages

  • Japanese

Professional Recognition

  • Listed in Thomson Reuters “Stand-out Lawyers,” 2024

  • Named "Thought Leaders: Global Elite 2023," by Who’s Who Legal (WWL), 2023

  • Ranked by The Legal 500 as a Tier 3 Lawyer in Media, Technology and Telecoms – Fintech, 2023

  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Fintech & Blockchain, 2021-2023

  • Listed in Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers, 2024

  • Named "Top 20 Blockchain Lawyers," by Identity Review, 2021

  • Ranked by Chambers USA as a Tier 1 Lawyer in Blockchain/Crypto Law for four consecutive years, 2018-2021

  • Recognized in Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies Law by Chambers FinTech Guide, 2018, 2021-2024

  • Listed as a "Top 25 Crypto Lawyer" by American Crypto Association, 2020

  • Listed as a "Leading Lawyer" in The Legal 500, 2019, 2021

  • Named a "Trailblazers in Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech" by the National Law Journal, 2018

  • Named a "Top 100 Blockchain Influencers" by Upfolio, 2018

  • Selected for “Rising Stars of Washington Law,” Washington Law & Politics, 2001-2004, 2010-2012

  • Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine as a "Top Rated Business & Corporate Attorney in Seattle, WA," 2013-present

Impact

Professional Leadership

  • Co-Chair, State Working Group, Chamber of Digital Commerce, 2016-present
  • Digital Currency & Ledger Defense Coalition, Participating Lawyer
  • Kellogg School of Management Executive Leadership Program, Northwestern University, 2014
  • Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, Board of Directors, 2001-2011; Executive Committee, 2004-2011

Community Involvement

  • Kiss The Ground, Advisory Council Member, 2021-present

Professional Experience

Electronic Financial Services

Negotiation of Mobile Commerce Agreements

Drafted and negotiated domestic and international mobile commerce agreements between wireless carriers, mobile commerce billing providers, application storefronts and merchants.

Launch of Open Loop Prepaid Card With Mobile Banking Services

Assisted national wireless carrier in launching open loop prepaid card with unique mobile banking and P2P capabilities.

Negotiation of Mobile Banking Agreements

Drafted and negotiated mobile banking agreements with two leading mobile banking software application developers and multiple financial institutions on behalf of national wireless carrier.

Mobile Proximity Payment Trials

Provided regulatory compliance, contract negotiation and other legal support to national wireless carrier for Near Field Communication (NFC) mobile payment trials involving mobile wallets, credit and stored value "softcards," automatic top ups, and NFC smart tag service discovery.

CTIA Mobile Financial Services Best Practices

Assisted CTIA-The Wireless Association in developing Best Practices Guidelines for Mobile Financial Services applicable to Mobile Financial Service Providers in order to promote an environment where MFS transactions are authorized, secure and compliant with applicable laws and industry guidelines, and to protect user privacy and financial data.

Negotiation of Agreement Regarding Alternative Online Credit

Assisted major online retailer in the negotiation of a contract with a payment provider supporting online purchases through open-end credit accounts not tied to credit cards.

Social Networking and Payments

Provided regulatory compliance counseling to social networking companies addressing unique issues raised by combining social networking capabilities with traditional and emerging payments features.

Virtual Property and Real Money Transactions

Assisted virtual property trading platform company with regulatory compliance related to electronic payment systems and real money transactions.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program Dealing With Emerging Payment Methods

Worked with national car association to develop anti-money laundering compliance program addressing traditional payment services, such as money transmission and consumer credit, as well as new payment products and services, such as open loop gift cards and P2P services.

Online Recurring Payments

Provided assistance to multiple service providers and billers regarding online recurring payment authorizations under Electronic Funds Transfer Act and payment association rules.

Assistance Structuring Prepaid and Loyalty Programs for Various Issuers

Assisted various companies with the structuring of open-loop and closed loop gift card programs and loyalty programs, including prepaid wireless products for carriers and physical and electronic "Points" programs for interactive entertainment and other companies.

Regulatory Counseling for Companies Involved With Payments

Counseled various companies regarding laws related to payments, including state "money transmitter" laws, federal anti-money laundering and "money service business" laws, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E, payment association rules, consumer credit laws, state gift certificate laws, state unclaimed property and escheat laws, and federal and state privacy and security laws.

Regulatory Counseling for Companies Involved With Virtual Currency

Counseled various companies regarding laws related to virtual currency, including state “money transmitter” laws, federal anti-money laundering and “money service Business” laws, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E, and federal and state privacy and security laws, among others.

Virtual Currency Investment Deal

Represented Andreessen Horowitz in $25 million series B investment in Coinbase, a San Francisco-based bitcoin wallet and platform where merchants and consumers can conduct transactions with digital currency.

Negotiation of Electronic Financial Services Agreements for Various Companies

Helped various companies with the preparation and negotiation of various agreements related to electronic financial services, including stored value card services agreements, reload agreements, payment processing agreements, co-branded credit card agreement, private label credit card agreements and corporate card agreements.

Technology Transactions & Privacy

IT Work for Manufacturers and Retailers

Counseled various manufacturers and retailers regarding IT licensing, outsourcing, hosting, hardware acquisition, telecommunications, services, joint ventures and strategic alliances.

Data Security and Privacy Advice for Manufacturer

Advised large manufacturer regarding development of data security and privacy policies and agreements.

Outbound Licensing for Software and Content Companies

Assisted various software and content companies with the outbound licensing and distribution of software and digital content.

International Business

Acquisitions and Divestitures for Japanese Electronics Company

Represented Japanese consumer electronics company with respect to acquisitions and divestitures of hard disk drive, optical components and other businesses.

Patent Licensing for Foreign Manufacturer

Advised Japanese adhesives company with respect to patent license matters and applicability of Bayh-Dole Act U.S. manufacturing requirements.

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