Banking-as-a-Service and partner risk
BaaS products depend on regulated bank sponsors whose requirements, risk appetite, and operational decisions can determine whether and how the fintech product can operate.
Counsel
Matthew Levine
Founder, Levine Law
Corporate and regulatory counsel for fintech founders and operators navigating the Canadian legal and regulatory environment.
About Matthew
Matthew Levine is the founder of Levine Law, a Toronto-based corporate law firm advising executives and investors on corporate, transactional, and financing matters.
Matthew's practice is concentrated on the legal and regulatory issues facing Canadian fintech companies, including MSB registration, FINTRAC compliance, RPAA and PSP registration, payment product structuring, banking relationships, and commercial contracts with financial institution partners.
fintechlawyer.ca is Levine Law's public-facing resource for practical regulatory intelligence on Canadian fintech law.
Experience
Founder
Levine Law, Toronto, ON
Current
Corporate and regulatory counsel for fintech founders and executives. Practice areas include MSB registration, FINTRAC compliance, payment structuring, securities law, and commercial contracts.
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[Firm], [City]
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Education
[Degree]
[Law School]
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[Undergraduate Degree]
[University]
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Practice areas
Legal and regulatory work concentrated on the issues facing Canadian fintech companies.
MSB Registration
Advising on when registration is required, sequencing the process, and managing FINTRAC obligations from the outset.
FINTRAC Compliance
Building AML compliance programs, policies, and controls that satisfy FINTRAC requirements and survive examination.
Payment Structuring
Mapping fund flows, role allocation, and product architecture against the Canadian regulatory framework.
Banking Relationships
Advising on banking access strategy, onboarding preparation, and response to de-risking by financial institutions.
Crypto and Digital Assets
Regulatory analysis for virtual currency dealers, token structures, and digital asset products under Canadian law.
Corporate Structuring
Setting up the right corporate structure for fintech operations, investment, and regulatory compliance from the start.
Commercial Contracts
Drafting and negotiating agreements with financial institution partners, payment processors, and technology providers.
Securities Law
Registration analysis, exemption strategy, and securities compliance for investment platforms and token offerings.
Regulatory Strategy
Advising on market entry sequencing, regulatory risk, and proactive positioning with Canadian regulators.
What clients say
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Regulatory intelligence
View all posts »Practical analysis on Canadian fintech law — MSB registration, FINTRAC compliance, payment structuring, and the regulatory frameworks shaping fintech in Canada.
Buy now pay later regulation in Canada
BNPL products in Canada face evolving disclosure and consumer protection requirements that depend on product structure, term length, and cost of credit.
Common AML program failures for Canadian MSBs
The compliance program failures that most frequently produce FINTRAC findings are structural, not incidental — and most are preventable.
Consumer credit disclosure requirements in Canada
Provincial credit legislation requires specific disclosures to borrowers at the time credit is offered — and the requirements differ across Canadian jurisdictions.
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Levine Law advises fintech founders and operators on Canadian regulatory strategy, corporate structure, and commercial matters.