A couple of fintech-focused highlights come to mind: The first involved representing a crypto-focused venture capital firm in its equity investment in a high-profile crypto project based in the United Arab Emirates, including due diligence performed by a multi-disciplinary, cross-border White & Case team. In the second, we represented a crypto project in an SEC investigation involving novel questions regarding whether the project's product offering was a "security" under the federal securities laws.

I don't know if there is one cohesive vision across the crypto industry. There are some in the industry whose goal is for crypto to ultimately displace traditional finance. But I think the more realistic vision is for crypto to become increasingly embedded in traditional finance, whether through the tokenization of securities and real-world assets, using blockchain technology to enhance trade clearing and settlement processes, or transforming the global payments landscape.

The next four years are likely to bring a new, light-touch regulatory landscape in the US. We are already seeing significant changes in how the federal government approaches crypto—going from a crypto-skeptic view to a crypto-enthusiastic one. The US government is increasingly willing to work hand-in-hand with the industry, with the White House and regulators like the SEC holding summits and roundtables. All of this will likely mean increased adoption of crypto and blockchain technology across a range of industries, as well as increased presence of crypto in the US as more and more companies look to take advantage of the friendlier regulatory environment. It will be interesting to see the steps other countries take to try to compete with the US in attracting crypto to their shores.

We are already seeing increasing interest in crypto by financial institutions, investment advisers and other participants in the financial markets. In the coming months, we will likely see new regulations that make it easier to trade and take custody of crypto, as well as more clarity about how crypto investments are regulated. All of this will lead to more predictability, which will likely attract more institutional investors to crypto. The institutionalization of crypto investment is certain to bring more strength and stability to the market.

"My Cousin Vinny." Not only is the movie fantastically funny, but it actually provides a realistic account of how trials work.

At the suggestion of my ten-year-old—hypnosis!