Litigation & Arbitration

In crypto and technology, disputes often begin with an incident: a hack, a smart contract exploit, a scam or a software project that fails. Funds can move across chains and borders within minutes. Responsibility is spread among many parties: developers, service providers, auditors, exchanges and payment intermediaries.

Pursuing the attacker is often not enough, because the attacker may never be identified. Other parties may also be liable for the loss. These include a technology provider whose security failed, an auditor who reviewed the code, an exchange that received the stolen funds, or a bank that processed fraudulent payments. EU rules on crypto-asset services and payment services give victims further grounds for action. Speed matters: funds can often be frozen only while they are still within reach.

We act for companies, DAOs, investors and individuals in disputes involving crypto-assets, software and IT services, before courts and arbitral tribunals. We work with blockchain forensic experts to trace funds and build the technical case. Through our network of local counsel, we coordinate proceedings across jurisdictions.

How we can help

• Hacks and exploits: claims against technology providers, wallet and custody services, bridges and other parties whose security failures enabled the attack
• Smart contract audit liability: claims against auditors, including the scope of the audit engagement, the standard of care and limitations of liability
• Crypto asset recovery: blockchain tracing with forensic experts, urgent freezing and preservation measures, requests to exchanges and crypto-asset service providers, and criminal complaints
• Scam and fraud recovery: actions against banks, payment institutions and other intermediaries that processed fraudulent payments, including proceedings before the Arbitro Bancario Finanziario (ABF) in Italy
• Claims against exchanges and service providers: frozen accounts, unauthorized transactions, insolvency and breaches of regulatory obligations
• Domain name disputes: UDRP proceedings under ICANN rules for .com and other generic domains, equivalent procedures for .io, .so, .eu and .it, and protection strategies for Web3 domains
• International arbitration: commercial disputes involving crypto and IT companies under ICC, LCIA, SIAC, WIPO and other institutional rules, including enforcement of awards abroad
• Software and IT disputes: failed development projects, SaaS and licensing disputes, source code ownership, escrow arrangements and service level breaches
• Dispute prevention: dispute resolution and arbitration clauses, escalation procedures and preservation of evidence before a dispute arises

Acting fast after a hack or scam

The first days after a hack or scam often decide whether anything can be recovered. Stolen funds that reach a regulated exchange can be frozen. On-chain data, system logs and communications must be preserved before they are lost or overwritten. Deadlines for notifying banks and intermediaries start running right away.

We coordinate blockchain tracing, freezing requests and urgent legal measures across the jurisdictions involved. At the same time, we assess who else may be liable for the loss. Before any proceedings begin, we give you a realistic view of the chances of recovery, the likely costs and the best forum. When the attacker cannot be reached, the liability of providers, auditors and intermediaries is often the most concrete path to recovery.

Our approach

We see litigation as a tool, not a goal. Where negotiation or mediation can deliver a better result faster, we pursue it. Where a case must be fought, we prepare it thoroughly. We understand the technology at the heart of these disputes, so we can challenge technical evidence, work effectively with experts and explain complex facts clearly to judges and arbitrators.