Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Are you baffled by the words blockchain and cryptocurrency? Is it really safe? Should you, as a company, be looking into this innovative industry? New legislation has seen Malta become the world’s first blockchain island as we focus on a framework that is regulated while allowing for technological innovation. This new and decentralised digital money system is changing the ways that we make payments, invest, save, and raise capital.

Our Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Services

Despite the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry being so young, E&S Group have already amassed valuable experience in the trade, offering clients advice on all matters relating to this new technology as well as ancillary services.

ICO advisory

With cryptocurrency fever extending far beyond the cryptocrowd, now is the best time to create your ICO. At E&S, we offer ICO Advisory services to our clients through every stage of development including generation of ideas, timing, market research, registration, issuing of tokens and launching the ICO.

ICO legal services

The legal implications of running an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) are present in all your offering documents and material. This is why having legal support is essential for your ICO. Our team is able to assist you from concept stage through to your actual offering.

Tokenomics

Correct tokenomics can quite simply make the difference between a successful ICO and one that fails to raise the capital required. Our expertise in token utility, utilisation, supply and demand and distribution in a relatively new market make E&S Group the obvious choice.

Crypto exchanges

Blockchain-based companies have sought the opportunity to help crypto enthusiasts trade their digital currencies worldwide. As a result, it has enabled more motion, shifting more trade to crypto exchange jurisdictions where Malta’s rate of crypto exchange is the highest in the word. We assist clients on matters regarding crypto exchanges including Professional Investor Funds (PIFs) in crypto assets, personal and corporate tax advisory related to acquisitions and disposals of cryptocurrencies and crypto assets as well as licenced trust and escrow arrangements in relation to cryptocurrencies OTC trading.

Tokenomics

Company Formation

 STO

Crypto Exchanges

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    Testimonials

    "According to our experience, E&S Consultancy team is made up of well-trained and skilled professionals who are always there to satisfy your business needs with reference to Maltase law. Their work is well organized and carried out in a precise and timely manner. I look forward to continuing my cooperation with E&S Consultancy."

    Giorgio Crotta & Marco Compagnino - FIDINAM & Partners

    "E&S assisted us with various transactions related to the expansion of our client's global structure. They have provided reliable tax advice; their expertise and efforts have been commendable. We would recommend E&S as an effective service provider."

    Mitchell B. Kops & Jill Kelly - Withers Bergman

    “E&S Consultancy really provides quality advice with commercial understanding. I have never experienced such a combination of know-how, pro-activeness and entrepreneurial thinking from any advisor. We are very impressed by the professionalism, attention to detail and efficiency of their staff. E&S Consultancy is an excellent firm which knows how to look after its customers."

    Florian Karrer - Walters & Karrer Internacional

    "Christian Ellul of E&S Consultancy has assisted us with advising on a number of transactions through Malta with particular tax driven expertise involved. We have found their tax and legal services very professional and efficient, with a client-driven approach and sound value for money investment for clients. We can, therefore, recommend E&S Consultancy as a law firm to be used in Malta."

    Javier Morera - Broseta Abogados

    "I've known E&S Consultancy for many years. They are knowledgeable, friendly and extremely helpful. Their team of experienced professionals has always offered courteous and immediate assistance. They are the best!"

    Florian Karrer - Walters & Karrer Internacional

    "We are happy to have E&S Group as our legal and transaction consultants. Their reliable and prompt advise on Maltese regulations and requirements has been extremely helpful throughout. Through our interactions with Mariella, Deborah and Anton among others, we find their team to be courteous, skilled, and promptly available to assist us as needed."

    Prashanth Swaminathan, CEO of XDAT

    “Having E&S as a reliable and trusted firm in Malta handling all the complexities of our corporate operations has been a real pleasure. I would recommend E&S Consultancy to anyone who is seeking the right partner when setting up in Malta"

    Eric Benz, CEO of Changelly

    "Applying for the MPRP is a complex project but with E&S team, the whole process didn’t seem to be as complex. The team first explained the process and then created a very detailed work activity tracker explaining each activity clearly. The team was very quick to respond to any clarifications and gave us confidence, helping in every step to make the process doable. One of the key areas for E&S’ success in guiding us was the painstaking detailed documentation and steps to be followed. Moreover, the process moved fast, and we got our approval the first time, in one shot. I would strongly recommend E&S for MPRP process as with them, you will get it done successfully and faster than others.  For me, I see the full form of E&S as Efficiency and Success for its clients."

    Rangin Lahiri - CEO & Founder of YVC Europe Ltd

    "E&S provides comprehensive, holistic and dedicated professional services related to company incorporation, Advisory, Risk & Compliance, Tax & Legal, Accounting and others. In the past 6 years, I have used most of these services and the company has very competent employees and professionals who understand the scope of the work and seek to deliver excellence in all the tasks they adhere to.

    E&S can be considered as a one-stop shop services provider especially for start-ups. I will not hesitate to recommend E&S to others who want to use the professional services they offer due to their service oriented, and high level of professionalism."

    Michael Gatt – Global Gaming Group (CFO)

    "I always feel at ease when E&S’s legal team answers our Human Resource questions from the perspective of the company. They are not only very responsive to any questions, but also extremely patient. E&S are aware of the requirements of our organisation and, if they foresees any issues, advises us accordingly. I wholeheartedly recommend E&S Group to my other co-workers with particular reference to Dr Anthea and Dr Jade who are very reliable to handle inquiries."

    Kathleen Dilley - Royce Technology

    "We have had the pleasure of working with E&S since 2009, and their commitment to delivering high-quality results with a meticulous and professional approach has made them an invaluable partner in our long-standing collaboration."

    Anna Davies at ANCROFT Corporate Consultants, London, UK

    [testimonials_cycle theme="clean_style" count="-1" order_by="date" order="ASC" show_title="0" use_excerpt="0" show_thumbs="1" show_date="1" show_other="1" hide_view_more="0" output_schema_markup="1" show_rating="stars" testimonials_per_slide="1" transition="fade" timer="5000" pause_on_hover="true" auto_height="container" show_pager_icons="1" prev_next="1" display_pagers_above="0" paused="0"]"We have worked with E&S Group for the last 18 months and we have found the people working there to be experienced and knowledgeable, in particular Dr. Deborah Vella and Nicole Said, Director and Head of Corporate Administration respectively. Both are professional and great to work with.  We hope that we can continue our collaboration for many years to come."

    Mr Stephen Balzan, Director at ACT Advisory Services (2023)

    "We've been honoured to cultivate a robust partnership over several years, focusing mainly on joint efforts with Dr. Deborah and Dr. Jade. The highlight of our collaboration is not just their expansive legal proficiency, but also their steadfast dedication to upholding the highest standards of professionalism. We deeply appreciate our straightforward and clear communication, underpinned by mutual understanding and respect, which consistently prioritizes the requirements and interests of our shared clientele."

    Mr Ali Zarzouri, Business Development Manager at Malte Conseils (2023)

    Learn About Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

    Blockchain

    Blockchain is the latest development in the tech world and soon to become a big part of any business transaction. Simply put, blockchain is a continuously growing list of records, so-called ‘blocks’ which contain data, these blocks are cryptographically interlinked and secured. Blocks cannot be altered or changed without affecting other blocks, which makes them secure and inherently resistant to modification or forgery. Each block is built into the previous one, hence creating a ‘chain’.

    Blockchain allows elimination of intermediaries and middlemen while ensuring legitimacy and security of transactions without further validation, therefore making future business transactions efficient and cost-effective, while sustaining the necessary level of transparency and security.

    Cryptocurrency

    Bitcoin is a new generation digital currency which is likewise based on cryptography, therefore ensures safety and privacy of transactions on a daily basis. Furthermore, another advantage cryptocurrency brings is ease and cost-effectiveness of transactions involving it. Being digital, it is much easier to store and transport than physical cash. Moreover, there are extremely low transactions rates and no applicable exchange rates, which makes the transactions extremely effective.

    One’s obvious first question would be regarding the safety and security of such transactions, as well as cryptocurrency itself. Cryptocurrency is not a centralized, government-issued currency under strict monetary controls, but a decentralized, peer-to-peer currency derived from open-source software and built on a trust-based, consensus system – blockchain, which is designed to ensure security and legitimacy of such transactions.

    Crypto exchanges

    Since Bitcoin started to gain traction worldwide, more ICO and blockchain companies put their coins in tradable assets. Although Bitcoin remains one of the most popular cryptocurrencies, Ethereum and Ripple are close behind.

    Blockchain-based companies such as Coinbase, Binance and OKEx has sought the opportunity to help crypto enthusiasts trade their digital currencies worldwide.  As a result, it has enabled more motion, shifting more trade to crypto exchange jurisdictions. In a report, conducted by banking giant Morgan Stanley, Malta has the highest rate of crypto exchange per capita, accounting close to $1.2 billion.

    Crypto exchanges are defined as online platforms used to exchange cryptocurrencies to altcoins or FIAT currency. The exchange processed depends on the exchange platform and in accordance with the rate calculated. Additionally, crypto exchanges are similar to stock exchanges or currency exchanges of FIAT currencies.

    In the future, we will see more digital currencies in circulation. Already. around the world, companies such as Starbucks and other online companies are selling their products, in exchange for Bitcoin. The importance of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is gaining popularity among various stakeholders in the industry. By means of Blockchain technology, this industry has empowered the sector to move forward and gaining momentum to result in a cryptocurrency future. Blockchain is the catalyst, transforming the way we see money.

    Crypto Funds

    In the coming days, Malta is awaiting the Virtual Financial Assets Act to become law. When setting up a Crypto fund in Malta, it will be under the Professional Investor Fund (PIF), as stated in the Malta Fund Regulatory Framework.

    Malta’s regulatory and supervisory body to financial institutions is the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). Subsequently, this authority authorises and issue licences to investment funds, in accordance with the established schemes and arrangements for Maltese funds.  These funds must have, the collective investment of capital acquired by means of an offer of units for subscription, sale or exchange. These funds need to possess any one of the following characteristics:

    • Fund operates according to the principle of risk spreading;
    • Contributions of the participants and the profits or income out of which payment are to be made to them are pooled;
    • At the request of the holders, units are repurchased or redeemed out of the assets of the scheme or arrangement, continuously or in blocks at short intervals;
    • Units are, have been or will be issued continuously or in blocks at short intervals.

    The risk spreading requirement, however, is not a mandatory requirement to PIFs targeting Qualifying Investors.

    Such a VC Fund must target professional investors (as defined by MiFID). They must invest solely in virtual currencies (either directly or indirectly) and need to have assets under management not exceeding €100m in value. In addition, they cannot seek to obtain a European passport to market their units. Each qualified investor also sets a minimum investment of €100k or its equivalent currency in PIF. However, a qualified investor cannot reduce the stated amount of €100k as per Maltese law.