International law firm Simmons & Simmons has advised Laser Digital on the establishment of its first digital assets fund platform and first open-ended fund – the Laser Digital Bitcoin Adoption Fund.
The fund, which provides a seamless way for institutional investors to access the digital assets space, and which provides long-term exposure to Bitcoin, will be the first in a range of digital adoption investment solutions that Laser Digital Asset Management will bring to the market.
Laser Digital is the digital assets arm of leading global financial services group Nomura. The new fund is managed by Laser Digital Middle East FZE (LDME) which is authorised and regulated by Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA). LDME was recently granted a full crypto license for broker-dealer services and management and investment services.
Simmons has been recognised as a key player in the digital assets space, helping clients navigate the evolving legal landscape. Its hedge funds team has gained extensive experience advising asset managers on digital asset funds.
The Simmons team was led by funds partner Sarah Crabb, supervising associate Louise Ma and associate Rachel Datta in London, with support from Muneer Khan and Adam Wolstenholme in Dubai. Andrea Vianelli led the legal and regulatory structuring for Laser Digital.
Laser Digital's asset management business is led by Sebastian Guglietta, who was previously Nomura's Chief Scientist Officer and a Portfolio Manager and Senior Scientist at hedge fund group Brevan Howard. Sebastian commented: "We have been really impressed with the Simmons & Simmons team and their knowledge of the funds and digital assets sector. Their experience and guidance was invaluable in helping the launch run smoothly. We very much look forward to continuing to work together."
Sarah Crabb commented: "We are delighted to have worked with the Laser Digital team on their first digital assets fund platform and the launch of the bitcoin tracker fund. These exciting launches play to our deep expertise in the digital asset funds space and we look forward to continuing to collaborate on future launches on the platform."
