Areas of focus
The work below describes the engagements Gabriel Méndez typically leads at the firm.
- BVI VASP Act 2022 registration and foundation-company structures;
- Cayman VASP Act post-2024 amendments — substance and reporting;
- FINTRAC MSB registration and Quebec restricted-dealer authorisation;
- CNAD DASP and BSP authorisation under the El Salvador Bitcoin Law;
- Panama territorial structuring for crypto operators;
- Multi-jurisdiction token launch structures (foundation + SPV + treasury);
Publications and recognition
- Contributor, IFC Review on offshore VASP regimes;
- Speaker, Cayman Alternative Investment Summit;
- Commentary in Offshore Investment on the Cayman VASP Act;
Jurisdictions led by Gabriel Méndez
- Crypto license in Canada — FINTRAC, 8–12 weeks.
- Crypto license in El Salvador — CNAD (National Commission of Digital Assets), 4–8 weeks.
- Crypto license in Panama — No crypto-specific regulator (general law), 1–3 weeks (incorporation).
- Crypto license in British Virgin Islands — BVI Financial Services Commission, 8–12 weeks.
- Crypto license in Cayman Islands — CIMA (Cayman Islands Monetary Authority), 10–16 weeks.
- Crypto license in Montenegro — Capital Market Authority (Komisija za tržište kapitala), 8–12 weeks.
- Crypto license in Bosnia & Herzegovina — Securities Commission of Republika Srpska (Komisija za hartije od vrijednosti), 8–10 weeks.
Services Gabriel Méndez leads
- Crypto License for a DeFi Protocol.
- Crypto License for a Token Issuer (ICO / STO).
- Crypto License for a Custody Provider.
- Crypto License for a Startup.
Selected client testimonials
We came in expecting a bureaucratic nightmare. Gabriel and his team broke the FINTRAC MSB process into clear weekly milestones, handled the AML programme draft start-to-finish, and got us registered in just over nine weeks. The follow-up support on our Quebec restricted-dealer filing was equally sharp.
What stood out was the honesty. They told us upfront that our initial banking plan would not survive a FINTRAC examination, and re-architected our flow of funds before we filed anything. Saved us at least two rejection cycles.
Solid work on our MSB registration and the AML/CTF policy stack. Communication was clear, deadlines were met. The only reason this isn’t five stars is that the banking introductions took longer than expected — but to be fair, that’s the Canadian market right now, not their fault.