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Finding the best, most pragmatic path forward, with realistic, implementable strategic decisions in pursuit of your success.

Bio Snapshot

  • Joel Telpner, CEO
  • Partner, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
  • Consigliere / Business Advisor
  • Special Expertise; Blockchain, crypto-currency, fintech
  • Chambers Listed - Fintech
  • M.B.A., The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
  • J.D. with distinction, University of Iowa College of Law
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Telpner's Calling Card: Distinguished Service

Special Recognition

  • Named one of the top 10 Fintech attorneys in America for 2019 by Chambers & Partners
  • Named a Trailblazer in the National Law Journal Inaugural Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech List (2018)
  • Named as one of the Top 6 Fintech Leading Lawyers in the United States in The Legal 500 U.S. 2019 Edition

Civic Contributions

  • Co-Founder: Stablecoin Foundation
  • Member, Editorial Board, BlockDrop
  • Faculty Member, Blockchain Research Institute
  • Member, Editorial Board of the Journal of Structured Finance (published by Institutional investor)
  • Member, Wall Street Blockchain Alliance and it's Legal Working Group
  • Member, Chamber of Digital Commerce
  • Member, Global Blockchain Business Council
  • Former Adjunct Professor, NYU Law School, Global Derivatives Regulation
  • Former member: UJA National Leadership Cabinet

Academics

  • M.B.A., The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
  • J.D., with distinction, The University of Iowa College of Law
    Editorial Board, Iowa Law Review; Executive Editor, ASILS International Law Journal
  • B.B.A., The University of Iowa, Business Administration, Major in Economics and Finance

Unique Consigliere

Representing financial institutions, top 10 cryptocurrencies, governments, dealers, start-ups, large enterprises, and private equity and venture capital funds.

Guiding the global French investment bank Caisse de Depots et Consignations (CDC North America—now Natixis) in launching all their U.S. capital markets and structured finance businesses.

Structuring some of the first token sales and blockchain-based applications, including the first issuance of digital securities utilizing blockchain technology for Overstock.com.

Helping Over-stock’s Zero trading platform obtain the necessary regulatory approval to trade crypto securities.

In The News

Recently Quoted

"A Swift Kik Or A Slow Roll? Crypto Lawyers Address Tough Questions About SEC V. Kik Interactive Inc.”

Joel Telpner discussed the SEC’s enforcement action against the token issuer Kik in Forbes, June 10, 2019.

"Three Bold Predictions To Track In The Digital Currency Frontier”
Joel Telpner discussed predictions for the cryptocurrency market in Forbes, March 24, 2019

Next Event

Joel Telpner Speaks in The Hague

Joel Telpner is delivering a speech on Regulatory Aspects of Cryptocurrencies at the Global Legal Forum in The Hague on August 15, 2019

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Telpner Blog - Joel's Take

“You Can’t Get There From Here.”

By Joel Telpner | July 8, 2019

There is an expression, apparently attributed to folks from Maine: “you can’t get there from here.”  It may have something to do with all of the lakes, mountains and vast rural stretches that make up much of Maine.  I’ve heard that phrase too many times throughout my career. But not once was the person reciting…

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Speaking the Right Language

By Joel Telpner | July 8, 2019

I admit it.  I love Star Trek.  Well, not so much Deep Space Nine.  But it doesn’t matter. It’s fun to think about all of the gadgets that this future world introduces to us.  Take, for example, the universal translator. Aliens throughout the galaxy can communicate with each other without worrying that something is going…

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