RegFi Podcast

In our continuing coverage of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, co-hosts Jerry Buckley and Caroline Stapleton are joined by Orrick partners Shannon Yavorsky and Julia Apostle. The conversation explores how companies can navigate emerging AI compliance requirements in both the European Union and the United States, including assessing risk, mapping AI systems and developing scalable governance frameworks. Since recording this episode, implementation of the EU AI Act has proceeded apace, with the EU Commission releasing its final guidance for developers of general-purpose AI models (GPAIM) and the Code of Practice undergoing its final approval process before the GPAIM obligations take effect on August 2. Links: EU guidelines for providers of general-purpose AI models EU General-Purpose AI (GPAI) Code of Practice Orrick AI Law Center Orrick Cyber, Privacy & Data Innovation Orrick Financial & Fintech Advisory RegFiPodcast.com

Christian Schröder, leader of Orrick’s European Cyber, Privacy & Data Innovation practice, joins RegFi co-hosts Jerry Buckley and Caroline Stapleton to break down the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. The conversation explores the act’s global reach, regulatory framework and what companies can do to prepare as some provisions become effective on Aug. 2, 2025. Links: Orrick AI Law Center Orrick Cyber, Privacy & Data Innovation Orrick Financial & Fintech Advisory RegFiPodcast.com

FS Vector’s Jackson Mueller sits down with RegFi co-hosts Jerry Buckley and Sasha Leonhardt to discuss the recently Senate-passed GENIUS Act. They explore the regulatory requirements that would be established under the legislation, the potential impact on domestic and international payments system providers, and the implications for the U.S. dollar and the market for U.S. Treasury obligations. The group also discusses the political momentum driving this legislation and prospects that the Senate-passed bill will align with the STABLE Act pending in the House and be sent to the president for signature. Links: FS Vector GENIUS Act ReCap STABLE Act ReCap Orrick Financial & Fintech Advisory RegFiPodcast.com

RegFi co-hosts Jerry Buckley and Sasha Leonhardt are joined by Orrick partner Ellen Ehrenpreis, head of the firm’s US Venture and Bay Area Technology Companies practice. Ellen shares insights on best practices for fintech startups engaging with investors, navigating regulatory complexity, and structuring companies for long-term success. The conversation also explores the growing interplay between Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C., as fintechs and their investors become increasingly engaged in public policy discussions surrounding crypto, AI, and financial innovation. Links: Orrick Tech Studio Orrick Technology Companies Group Orrick Financial & Fintech Advisory RegFiPodcast.com

RegFi co-hosts Jerry Buckley and Sasha Leonhardt welcome Orrick colleague James Wigginton and John Paller, Founder of Opolis and EthDenver, to explore how blockchain technology can be used to enable decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to transform corporate ownership and governance using a limited cooperative legal format. Discussed are the benefits of DAO memberships and meetings with the SEC Crypto Task Force aimed at securing a Safe Harbor rulemaking for DAOs offered in a limited cooperative or similar legal structure. Links: Opolis ETHDenver Orrick Financial & Fintech Advisory RegFiPodcast.com  

RegFi co-hosts Jerry Buckley and Sherry Safchuk are joined by Orrick partner Jedd Bellman, former Maryland Assistant Commissioner of Financial Regulation, for a deep dive into the evolving role of state regulators in supervising fintechs and other nonbank financial services providers. The conversation explores how the NMLS and CSBS are shaping multistate licensing and oversight, the growing emphasis on corporate governance and personal liability for management, and how political dynamics are influencing state regulatory coordination. Links: Orrick Financial & Fintech Advisory RegFiPodcast.com

Orrick Partners Matthew Coleman and Jeanine McGuinness join RegFi co-hosts Jerry Buckley and Sherry Safchuk to explore the implications of the Justice Department’s recent issuance of a final rule prohibiting and restricting certain transfers of bulk personal sensitive data and U.S. government-related data. The group discusses what data transfers are restricted, what countries and individuals are implicated and what U.S. companies should do to ensure compliance. Data Security Program (DSP) Resources: Justice Department Announcement on Final Rule Implementation and Enforcement Policy Compliance Guide Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) DSP Full Text Orrick Links: Cyber, Privacy & Data Innovation International Trade & Investment Financial & Fintech Advisory RegFiPodcast.com

Rob McKenna, Orrick partner and former Washington State Attorney General, joins RegFi co-hosts Jerry Buckley and Caroline Stapleton to discuss the expanding role of state attorneys general in consumer financial protection. The conversation explores how state AGs and regulators are setting standards for privacy, crypto and other digital assets, artificial intelligence, bank/fintech partnerships and other issues impacting the financial services industry. Links: Orrick State AG Investigations & Enforcement Orrick Financial & Fintech Advisory RegFiPodcast.com

Jo Ann Barefoot, founder and CEO of the Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR), and Kabir Kumar, partner at Flourish Ventures, join co-hosts Jerry Buckley, Sasha Leonhardt and Sherry Safchuk for a special RegFi episode recorded during Orrick’s Annual ConFi Today conference. The conversation explores the future of financial regulation in the technology age, including AI's transformative potential in financial services, the challenges of navigating state and federal regulatory frameworks, and how technological advances could enable real-time regulatory supervision. Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR) Flourish Ventures “Financial Regulators' Dilemma: Administrative and Regulatory Hurdles to Innovation” Orrick Financial & Fintech Advisory RegFiPodcast.com

RegFi Co-Hosts Jerry Buckley and Sasha Leonhardt welcome Orrick partner Behnam Dayanim to explore the applications of blockchain in financial services, including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and decentralized finance. The conversation also covers the evolving regulatory landscape for these technologies following the recent White House Digital Asset Summit, guidance from the new administration and rulemaking activity at the state level. Links: Orrick Blockchain and Virtual Currency Orrick Financial & Fintech Advisory RegFiPodcast.com