A cross-practice team of Katten attorneys led by New York Office Managing Partner and Investment Management and Funds Partner Wendy Cohen advised leading multistrategy digital asset investment firm Monarq Asset Management (Monarq) in its strategic investment from FalconX, a digital asset prime broker. In the transaction, FalconX acquired a majority stake in Monarq (formerly MNNC Group LLC). The goal of the transaction is to accelerate Monarq's growth as it scales its team, product offerings and institutional client base.
Shiliang Tang, CEO and Managing Partner of Monarq, stated, "Katten was an outstanding partner on our crypto investment deal. Their team was always available, incredibly responsive and deeply knowledgeable about the fast-evolving regulatory landscape. Their guidance gave us confidence at every step, and their attention to detail ensured we stayed on schedule."
The Katten team drew on contributions from across the Financial Markets and Funds department and other groups. Financial Markets and Funds Partner Timothy Kertland, with Partner and Investment Management and Trading Co-Chair Christopher Shannon and Associates Rachel Krieger and Jack West, handled the transaction. Partners from the Financial Markets Regulatory and Financial Markets Litigation and Enforcement group, including Christian Hennion, Daniel Davis, Matthew Kluchenek and Associate Alexander Kim, fielded a multiplicity of regulatory issues from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Cayman Islands. Investment Management and Trading Partner Jonah Roth and Associate Benjamin Levine supported fund-related work. Transactional Tax Planning Partner Jill Darrow, Intellectual Property Partner Jessica Kraver and Associate Alexandra Caleca rounded out the team.