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Joshua Garcia

Partner
Joshua Garcia Partner

Joshua Garcia has more than a decade of experience advising global clients on blockchain technology, fintech innovation and complex financial regulations.

He has worked closely with multibillion-dollar token issuers, the most innovative AI and crypto developers, state and federal banks, and top capital markets operators, as well as the world’s largest centralized exchanges, custodians, market makers and venture capital funds. His practice focuses on securities, commodities, lending, consumer protection and payments. He has also advised U.S. state legislatures and the State Bank of Pakistan on digital assets policy.

Recognized as a thought leader in the fintech and blockchain industry, Josh has written extensively on vanguard technology and regulatory strategy in publications such as CoinDesk, Coin Center, Bitcoin Magazine and Forbes. He has presented at numerous global fintech and blockchain conferences and has appeared on cable television as a commentator on digital assets. He previously served as an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan Law School, where he taught “Blockchain and the Law.”

Prior to joining Morrison Cohen, Josh co-founded Ketsal, PLLC, a legal advisory and consulting firm serving startups, financial institutions and blockchain companies. Before founding Ketsal, Josh formed and shepherded fintech and crypto practices at several leading international law firms.

Experience

Prior to joining Morrison Cohen

  • Global payments processor. Negotiated custody contracts with major custodians for the management of billions of dollars in digital assets. Coordinated global changes to offboarding processes for merchants across 20+ jurisdictions.
  • POS merchant processor. Aided with various regulatory issues regarding payroll cards, Visa and Mastercard rules, PCI compliance and factoring/merchant cash advances.
  • Backend staking software provider. Managed regulatory diligence in sale to Coinbase worth over $450 million.
  • High-profile token launches:
    • Identity-focused protocol with proprietary hardware. Developed securities laws and MTL risk management strategy three years prior to global launch; managed contract negotiation with listing exchanges, market makers, liquidity providers and other stakeholders. Launch worth billions.
    • ZK-focused protocol. Developed securities laws risk management strategy two years prior to global launch; managed contract negotiation with listing exchanges, market makers, liquidity providers and other stakeholders. Launch worth billions.
  • White labeled business banking. Negotiated many MSAs for onboarding new customers.
  • Switzerland-based bank. Regulatory memoranda regarding the application of U.S. laws to deposit sweep structures, as well as recent guidance on custodianship of digital assets.
  • Money Transmitter Licenses:
    • Obtained U.S. MTLs for UK-based centralized exchange, and U.S.-based centralized exchange; carved out yield products from our representation: non-crypto payments platform, EU-based stablecoin exchange and others.
    • Advised many clients on agent of the payee exemptions, as well as the scope of state law regarding multi-signature wallets, noncustodial wallets and other new blockchain applications.
  • Nonprofit foundation supporting Zcash. Advised on a range of issues regarding nonprofit governance.
  • Japan-based crypto exchange. Assisted with various securities laws issues related to listing of new assets.
  • State Bank of Pakistan. Through a World Bank-funded program, advised on current state of Pakistani law, and provided recommendations with UK and local counsel for modernization of Pakistani laws regarding blockchain, digital assets and artificial intelligence.
  • Advised proprietary trading shops and decentralized spot commodity platforms on Dodd-Frank’s rules regarding spot commodity market manipulation and implications for insider trading.
  • Advised many clients on management of OFAC risks.
  • Managed, with the assistance of offshore counsel, the formation of entities in Caymans, Switzerland and Singapore.
  • Assisted several funds with regulatory diligence prior to investment in new digital assets.
  • Aided clients with pre-enforcement inquiries across from a range of regulators: CFPB, FinCEN, DOJ and the states of New Hampshire, Texas and California. Also assisted with pre-litigation inquiries involving civil suits.
  • Advised clients (in tandem with large law firms) involved in bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Advised many clients on sweepstakes, contests and related gambling issues.
  • Advised many clients on state usury laws, true lender issues and other state issues such as escheatment.

News & Publications

Contributing Writer, Forbes.com, June 2023 – November 2025

  • Authored articles on legal developments, regulatory trends and emerging issues in blockchain and fintech

Practices

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School, J.D., cum laude
  • University of Arizona, M.F.A., Creative Writing, magna cum laude
  • New York University, B.A., cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • New York

Media & Insights