Bio

Roy Keidar is a leading partner in the firm’s Emerging Technologies and AI Department, and provides expert guidance and legal advice covering financial compliance, anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing regulation, in various transformative fields. 

In fintech, blockchain and cryptocurrencies, Roy handles distributed ledger technology, smart contracts, tokenization, and initial coin offerings, algo-trading, DeX, DeFi, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and various financial regulation issues. He also works in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning and generative AI; cybersecurity, data protection and incident response; and Web 3.0, metaverse, decentralized applications (DApps), and gaming.

A substantial part of Roy’s practice focuses on structuring and designing innovative legal solutions to meet the specific needs of our clients in either highly-regulated or under-regulated environments, to enable them to penetrate new markets across multiple jurisdictions. This includes providing guidance on market entry strategies, local regulatory compliance, and corporate and commercial legal considerations.

For foreign clients looking to explore business opportunities in Israel, Roy provides legal counsel on Israeli licensing requirements, regulatory compliance, and corporate and commercial matters.

Roy’s background uniquely combines government and business experience. Formerly, he served as the legal advisor of the Israeli National Security Council in the Prime Minister’s Office, and as an officer of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the International Law Department. He lectures in Reichman University in the fields of emerging technologies, national security, and legal aspects of blockchain technology.

Roy joined the firm in 2015, and became a partner in 2023.

EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Represented Bit2C, the only Israeli crypto exchange company, in its license application to the Israel Capital Market, Insurance and Savings Authority.
  • Represented Tectona (TLV:TECT) in matters related to ISA approval of holding and managing digital assets.
  • Represented NFT in producing its first music concert in Israel.
  • Provided legal opinions to multinational exchanges and Fortune 500 companies related to their blockchain operations in Israel.
  • Represented Backed Finance, a first-of-its-kind tokenization services for real-world assets, in its setup and expansion in the European market.
  • Advised several companies in developing decentralized blockchain Layer-1/Layer-2  protocols.
  • Represented various algo-trading companies/funds trading in traditional markets and crypto CeFi/DeFi.
  • Represented cyber protection companies in their joint acquisition by one of the Big 4 accounting firms.
  • Founded three companies in the field of emerging technologies.
  • Served as a representative of several government-appointed national committees: the Eiland Committee, appointed to investigate the circumstances leading to the abduction of Gilad Shalit; the Lipkin-Shachak Committee, appointed to look into implementation of the Vinograd report post the Second Lebanese war; and the UN’s Palmer committee, regarding the inquiry into the 2010 flotilla incident.

Recognition

FinTech 2024: FinTech Legal

Chambers Global

“Roy is extremely responsive and great to work with. I would recommend him for Israeli FinTech and blockchain related matters at any time.”

“Roy is an extremely talented and experienced attorney in the blockchain sector. Working with him gives me peace of mind.”

Education
2008 Harvard University, Massachusetts | MPA
2001 The Hebrew University of Jerusalem | LL.M.
1997 The Hebrew University of Jerusalem | LL.B.
Admission
1998 Israel
Additional roles
Founding member, International Blockchain Lawyers Group (BLG)
Member of the Blockchain Lawyers Forum, Israel
Roy Kiedar

Roy Keidar

Partner
132 Begin Road, Azrieli Center, Tel Aviv 6702101, Israel
Roy Kiedar