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About Joel Telpner, CEO

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SUMMARY

Joel Telpner is the founder and CEO of Telpner Advisors, a consultancy specializing in the blockchain and fintech space. He is also a New York-based senior partner and Chair of Sullivan & Worcester’s Fintech and Blockchain Practice, I actively work with a large number of clients in structuring digital asset distributions and enterprise blockchain applications. I bring to the table 30 +years of combined legal and business experience that has required seeing around corners, identifying strategic opportunities and transforming complex legal hurdles into winning opportunities.

These have been my calling cards: becoming a leading force in the world of blockchain and fintech; starting from scratch and building a legal department for one of the world’s largest foreign investment banks; launching a venture capital firm; and restructuring the sovereign debt of Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.

Special Expertise

  • Cutting-edge blockchain, cryptocurrency and fintech transactions
  • Guiding early-stage companies from launch to monetization
  • Capital raising transactions in public and private U.S. and foreign markets
  • Complex, structured finance and derivatives transactions
  • Private, venture and alternative investment funds

Consensus Building Capabilities

As a law firm partner, a member of senior management and as a corporate board member of several private companies, I am at ease tackling the boxing match that takes place between the competing demands imposed by regulatory requirements, compliance procedures and risk management oversight found in one corner of the ring and the demands that arise from the pursuit of business strategic goals and objectives, incentivizing employees and maximizing shareholder profits found in the other corner.

Policymaking Activities

Beyond legal practice, I am a leader in policy initiatives on global regulatory issues for blockchain on behalf of the Global Blockchain Business Council, the Blockchain Research Institute, the Chamber of Digital Commerce, the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance and Wharton Reg@Tech. In 2018 I presented on "ICOs – Best Practices" at Blockchain Central at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. I also cofounded Stablecoin.Foundation, a non-profit organization, to promote best practices for the stablecoin segment of the cryptocurrency market.

Education

  • 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