Operating in Fintech, Blockchain, or Crypto in 2026: What Every Founder Needs to Know Before It's Too Late

Josh leads Cogent Law's crypto, fintech, and banking practice, specializing in multi-state money transmitter licensing and regulatory compliance at the federal and state levels. He is also the Co-Founder and CEO of the CBC Summit, Crypto Banking, Compliance & Stablecoins, and the PBC Conference, the leading B2B event for payments, banking, and compliance in the cannabis industry. Cogent Law has served the crypto industry since 2014 and was among the first law firms to do so. Josh's clients value his unique perspective as both an attorney and a business owner, and he has spoken on Capitol Hill and national forums on financial services issues in crypto and cannabis.

Allison Maffitt is an attorney with deep experience in regulatory, litigation, real estate, and contracts law, now focused on serving clients in the fintech and blockchain industries. She advises startups, entrepreneurs, and established companies across multiple states, guiding them through every stage of business development and regulatory compliance. Before her legal career, Allison worked as an analyst in the oil and gas industry, conducting detailed market research and forecasting. She later served as counsel for an independent production company, gaining hands-on experience with regulatory and operational challenges. She is an active member of the Government Blockchain Association, where she co-leads the design of the Digital Asset Management course.

José Paulo Miler is a Portuguese-qualified attorney at Cogent Law focusing on fintech, blockchain, digital assets, and cross-border regulatory strategy across Europe and international markets. Previously, José held executive legal roles, including General Counsel, Head of Legal, and Deputy to the CEO at ZOOP, Baanx Group, and Unlimit, with deep experience in MiCA, EMI licensing, stablecoin structures, and cross-border M&A. José also advises startups, founders, and established companies on licensing, compliance, and corporate structuring, and is a regular speaker on Web3, crypto, and emerging financial technologies.