Biography
Lana is a bilingual Associate in White & Case’s UAE financial services regulatory practice. She has a broad range of experience advising financial institutions in relation to various regulatory matters including payment services, fintech, funds, data protection, wealth management, virtual asset and digital securities offerings in the DIFC, the ADGM, onshore UAE and the wider Middle East region.
Her work combines strategic regulatory advice with hands-on regulatory engagement. She frequently works closely with regulators, including the CBUAE, DFSA, FSRA, CMA and VARA, supporting clients with licensing applications, regulatory approvals and ongoing regulatory engagement. She has successfully supported numerous clients in obtaining financial services licences across the banking, payments, fintech and virtual asset sectors. She also advises on the structuring and regulation of financial products, infrastructure and services, including cross-border and multi-currency payment solutions, digital wallets, stored value facilities, payment initiation models and embedded finance propositions.
Lana is recognised for her industry engagement and achievements and was nominated for “Rising Star of the Year” at the LexisNexis Women in Law Awards in 2025.
Experience
Representative transactions include:
Representation of the DIFC Courts in relation to the inclusion of digital assets in their will-offerings, resulting in the launch of the first-of-its-kind Digital Assets Will, which enables the secure distribution of cryptocurrencies, NFTs and other digital holdings.*
Representation of one of the world’s leading digital payment and financial services platforms in relation to its expansion into the Middle East and assisting with setting up its multi-currency account product offering in the UAE.*
Representation of a global virtual asset platform in respect of structuring its digital securities platform across the GCC and successfully obtaining its VASP licence from VARA.*
Representation of a UAE-based digital wealth management platform as its go-to legal and regulatory counsel and advising on all aspects of its operations and services across the Middle East, including advising in relation to new and innovative wealth management products.*
Representation of a UAE bank in relation to the development and structure of its carbon offset digital product.*
Representation of a leading delivery platform as its go-to legal and regulatory counsel in relation to its operations across the Middle East, including in relation to its payment features, Buy Now Pay Later offering, and regulatory obligations.*
Representation of a leading social media and e-commerce platform in relation to the structuring of its payment features across the Middle East.*
Representation of an issuer of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products in relation to its listing on Nasdaq Dubai and managing the listing process.*
Representation of various payment service and digital asset product providers in relation to licensing requirements and obligations across the Middle East, including in relation to the CBUAE, DFSA, FSRA, VARA, CMA and SAMA, and managing the licensing process. Successfully obtaining more than 20 financial services licences for clients across the financial services, banking, virtual asset, payments and wealth management spaces.*
Representation of international asset managers in relation to the registration of foreign funds with the CMA for distribution to investors in the UAE.*
Representation of a prominent UAE fintech leader in connection with the establishment of a Buy Now Pay Later company in the UAE travel sector.*
Representation of a leading international bank in relation to a range of financial services matters, including cross-border issues involving its DIFC branch and the provision of banking and financial products to high-net-worth individuals.*
Representation of finance companies and fintechs in relation to a wide range of matters across the Middle East, including AML and CFT obligations, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity and data protection and privacy obligations.*
*Experience prior to joining White & Case.
Professional Highlights
Nominated Rising Star of the Year, LexisNexis Women in Law Awards in 2025
"Lana is focused, practical and attentive – a rising lawyer making her mark through her work."
