Nina Zegarra

Nina Zegarra advises U.S. and non-U.S. banks, financial institutions, fintech companies, and payment services providers on complex U.S. financial regulatory matters. Her work sits at the intersection of traditional financial regulation and financial innovation, covering cross-border stablecoin-based payment systems, digital asset frameworks, novel payment technologies, and blockchain-enabled platforms. Clients rely on her to map licensing pathways, assess registration and compliance obligations, and structure around the constraints of federal and state law. She frequently supports cross-border matters involving non-U.S. financial institutions seeking access to U.S. markets.

On the bank regulatory side, Nina counsels U.S. and non-U.S. banking organizations on Bank Holding Company Act considerations, including control analysis, Regulation Y and Regulation K questions, affiliate transaction rules under Regulation W, and Volcker Rule structuring concerns. She advises on bank chartering and Federal Reserve master account strategy, including the practical regulatory and supervisory hurdles involved, and coordinates with state and federal banking regulators. She also advises non-U.S. banks on U.S. market entry, including the establishment of branches, agencies, and representative offices, and the associated federal and state regulatory applications and analyses. She also participates in supervisory examinations, assembling responsive information and helping clients develop strategic responses to regulator inquiries.

For fintech and payments clients, Nina addresses money transmitter licensing, money services business registration, and multijurisdictional compliance planning for digital payment platforms. She also evaluates whether emerging payment models trigger securities law, exchange, or alternative trading system considerations, and she drafts and negotiates contractual terms governing payment rails, funds flow, and allocation of compliance responsibilities. Her advice also covers commercial loan licensing across multiple states, including the application of state lending, usury, and disclosure requirements based on specific loan characteristics.