Cambridge Forum on Evolving European FinTech Regulation

James H. Freis, Jr. has pursued a career dedicated to promoting the integrity of the global financial markets. He currently leads Market Integrity Solutions, a consulting firm providing executive advice on global financial regulation, good governance, and innovative technology solutions; and is a member of the board of directors or advisory board of a number of financial services and technology companies. From 2014 through 2020, he was Managing Director, Chief Compliance Officer, and Group Anti-Money Laundering Officer of the Deutsche Börse Group, Europe’s largest provider of systemically significant financial market infrastructures. In June 2020, he was asked to join the management board of the FinTech payments services provider, Wirecard AG, to professionalize the company and oversee its regulated businesses. Within his first day, he exposed internal fraud, was promoted to CEO, and then initiated a global restructuring and eventual insolvency proceedings of what had been a blue-chip company. From 2007 to 2012, Mr. Freis was Director (CEO) of the United States Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the lead U.S. Government official for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing requirements, and head of the country’s financial intelligence unit (FIU).  Earlier in his career, he worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland, and the law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. Mr. Freis is a graduate of Georgetown University, earned his Juris Doctor from Harvard University, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.

Dario Dagostino is co-Head of A&L Goodbody's Disputes & Investigations group focussing on Financial Regulatory matters. Dario is also Head of our Regulatory Investigations Group. He frequently advises clients on all aspects of their interactions with regulatory authorities such as the Central Bank of Ireland on regulatory compliance, authorisation and enforcement. In addition, Dario represents clients in commercial disputes with a focus on civil proceedings with a regulatory aspect and in advising on corporate criminal issues.   

AREAS OF EXPERTISE Regulatory Investigations / Privacy & Data Security / White Collar Crime / Financial Regulation / FinTech / Financial Services Litigation / Brexit/Disputes / Investigations 

EXPERIENCE ADVISING:

• Various financial institutions in dealing with supervisory enquiries and enforcement proceedings including those commenced by the Central Bank of Ireland, the Irish Stock Exchange, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Data Protection Commissioner.

• Regulated firms on regulatory enquiries including Central Bank 'Themed Inspections' and 'Skilled Person' Reports.

• Domestic and international clients in commercial disputes before the Irish courts including claims for damages arising from regulatory decisions in the financial services and competition spheres.

• Companies and financial institutions in response to ‘dawn raids’ and other regulatory and public enquiries concerning suspected breaches of competition law, data protection requirements, fraud and other regulatory issues.

• Companies and regulated firms in relation to the conduct of a wide range of internal investigations.

• Various aspects of compliance procedures including those relating to anti-money laundering, anti-corruption, conduct of business rules and consumer protection legislation.

• Self-reporting obligations and managing clients’ relationships with regulatory authorities.

MARKET RECOMMENDATIONS "Dario is an excellent lawyer. He has a good understanding of commercial drivers and inspires confidence." (Chambers Global 2023)   "Dario Dagostino is an exceptional lawyer, easy to deal with, practical, and has unparalleled knowledge and understanding of the regulatory space, which goes far beyond the letter of the law." (Legal 500 2021)   "He is exceptionally able in dealing with the regulator and can analyse masses of complex information and distil it down into the key issues" (Chambers Global 2021)   "Provides pragmatic and concise advice and guidance and has excellent attention to detail." (IFLR1000 2020) 

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES Dario regularly presents to clients on a range of compliance related issues. He has written various articles and participated in government consultations regarding the reform of regulatory enforcement powers.   

EDUCATION

• Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland

• Solicitor, Law Society of England and Wales

• B.C.L. Oxford University

• B.A. (Jurisprudence) Oxford University

Olympe is currently General Counsel of Mangopay, leading the Legal, Compliance and Risk functions since 2022. Prior to Mangopay, Olympe was Senior Legal Director at eBay, where she supported payments operations in the EU and Asia, and at Amazon, where she supported EU payments businesses for 9 years. Her work has been focused on regulatory matters since 2003, from payments and electronic-money services to lending, with a particular emphasis on anti-money laundering, product development and professional secrecy matters. She has also worked closely with multiple regulatory authorities across the globe, contributing to several legislative initiatives in Europe.

Michelle is an experienced regulatory lawyer and has been with Stripe for over six years, and whilst she mainly covers EMEA now, she has experience of regulatory issues in other global markets. Her areas of focus are regulator engagement, risk management, safeguarding and regulated product design. Prior to working at Stripe, Michelle spent 6 years at DLA Piper, London on the Restructuring team.

Shóna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Spanish Literature from University College Dublin. Relocating to Canada from Ireland in 2018, Shóna joined Cambridge Forums, where she sparked a passion for event planning and management. 

Leveraging her extensive experience in client relations from previous roles in insurance and finance, Shóna thrives in orchestrating high-profile events and delivering memorable experiences for her clients. 

When not traveling around the world hosting Cambridge events, Shóna is based in Vancouver where she enjoys getting out in nature as much as possible – hiking the local trails, running along the seawall, or taking her paddle board out on the water.