Privacy compliance for Fintech and crypto companies moving fast

GDPR, financial regulations, enterprise customers, investors asking hard questions. We handle all of it.

Fintech and crypto companies face overlapping privacy and financial regulations (GDPR, GLBA, DORA, PSD2) that most privacy providers don't understand deeply enough to handle properly, especially at the pace fintech moves.

Key takeaways

  • If you process financial and personal data at scale in the EU, you likely need a DPO

  • DORA entered into application 17 January 2025 and may apply if you provide ICT services to EU financial entities

  • GDPR and financial regulations overlap but don't replace each other; you need compliance with both

  • Your DPO has led privacy programs at Coinbase and Robinhood

Your DPO has personally led privacy programs at 100+ organizations, including Coinbase and Robinhood. We know what financial regulators expect and what it takes to pass enterprise due diligence in this space.

Why Fintech privacy is different

Fintech and crypto companies sit at the intersection of privacy law and financial regulation. You're handling financial data, transaction records, KYC/AML data, and often biometric data for identity verification. Regulators pay attention, enterprise customers run deep due diligence, and investors want to see a mature compliance posture.

The regulatory overlap is where it gets complex. GDPR governs how you handle personal data. GLBA adds requirements for US financial data. DORA adds operational resilience requirements for EU financial services. PSD2 has its own data protection provisions. And KYC/AML requirements create tension with data minimization principles.

What we handle for Fintech

  • DPO appointment and notification to the supervisory authority

  • GDPR and financial data compliance

  • GLBA compliance for US financial data

  • DORA compliance (Digital Operational Resilience Act, entered into application 17 January 2025) for financial services in the EU

  • KYC/AML data protection frameworks

  • Vendor risk management for payment processors, banking partners, and identity verification providers

  • Enterprise deal support for banking and institutional clients

  • Investor due diligence packs

  • AI compliance for fraud detection, credit scoring, and automated decisioning

  • Cross-border data transfers for international financial operations

Common Fintech compliance scenarios

Payment platforms processing transaction data across EU and US need GDPR, CCPA, GLBA, and PCI DSS privacy alignment.

Crypto exchanges handling KYC data (identity documents, and biometrics where used for identification purposes) may face GDPR special category data requirements alongside AML regulations.

Lending platforms using automated credit scoring need GDPR automated decision-making assessments and EU AI Act high-risk classification compliance.

Banking-as-a-Service providers processing data on behalf of financial institutions need robust DPA frameworks and DORA compliance.

Regulations

GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, GLBA, DORA, EU AI Act, PSD2 data protection requirements, and financial sector privacy regulations across 30+ jurisdictions with local counsel support where required.

FAQ

Do Fintech companies need a DPO? If you're processing financial and personal data at scale in the EU, in most cases yes. Even outside the EU, enterprise banking and institutional clients commonly expect you to have one. Most Fintech companies we work with at Series A+ appoint a DPO because their customers require it.

What is DORA and does it apply to us? The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is an EU regulation for the financial sector that entered into application on 17 January 2025. It primarily applies to financial entities and certain ICT third-party service providers in their supply chain. If your company provides critical ICT services to EU financial institutions, you may be in scope. We handle the assessment and compliance.

Can you support crypto and blockchain companies specifically? Yes. We've worked with crypto companies on the specific challenges of decentralized data, cross-border transfers, pseudonymous data, and regulatory engagement across multiple jurisdictions.

How does GDPR interact with financial regulations? They overlap but don't replace each other. GDPR governs how you handle personal data. Financial regulations (GLBA, DORA, PSD2) add sector-specific requirements on top. You need to comply with both. We handle the intersection.

What about automated credit scoring and GDPR? GDPR gives individuals the right not to be subject to solely automated decisions with legal or significant effects. Credit scoring often falls into this category. You need proper safeguards, transparency, and the ability for human review. We set up the governance framework for this.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Exact obligations depend on your specific situation and jurisdictions.

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