S&D E30: Courts, Crypto & Code: Making Sense of Digital Asset Law
How do you enforce a legal judgment when the assets live on a decentralized network? That’s just one of the questions explored in this week’s episode of the Seize & Desist podcast, where Aidan Larkin speaks with Canadian lawyer Jessica Stansfield about the realities of law in a blockchain-driven world.
How do you enforce a legal judgment when the assets live on a decentralized network?
That’s just one of the questions explored in this week’s episode of the Seize & Desist podcast, where Aidan Larkin speaks with Canadian lawyer Jessica Stansfield about the realities of law in a blockchain-driven world. They discuss:
✅ The enforcement hurdles victims face when recovering digital assets
✅ How technology and open-source intelligence are reshaping investigations
✅ The legal tools Canadian courts use to freeze and reclaim assets
✅ Why the “Code is Law” debate could redefine fraud in the future
Jessica also shares practical insights from her experience in fraud litigation and looks ahead to emerging trends that will shape digital asset law.
Listen now:
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and Background
03:00 – Asset Recovery in the Digital Age
09:00 – The Role of Blockchain in Asset Recovery
12:00 – Victim Perspectives in Cryptocurrency Fraud
18:00 – Legal Framework for Asset Recovery in Canada
23:55 – Future Trends in Asset Recovery and Code is Law
About our Guest
Jessica Stansfield is a leading authority in digital asset recovery and fraud litigation. As a Canadian commercial litigator, she has built a reputation for tackling complex cases involving cryptocurrency and emerging technologies. Known for her innovative approach, she leverages open-source intelligence and cutting-edge legal frameworks to trace and reclaim digital assets.
Key Takeaways
Complexity in Asset Recovery: Fragmented frameworks and jurisdictional hurdles make asset recovery a challenging area of law that requires creative legal strategies and innovative investigative techniques.
Digital Asset Fraud on the Rise: The explosion of cryptocurrency and digital assets has created new avenues for fraud, from elaborate scams to meme coin price manipulation, demanding specialised legal expertise to protect victims and recover stolen funds.
Power of Open-Source Intelligence: Publicly available data enables asset tracing without traditional legal constraints, making open-source intelligence a game-changer in fraud investigations.
Canadian Legal Tools: Canada’s courts provide powerful mechanisms for asset recovery. Mareva injunctions can freeze assets, while Norwich orders compel disclosure of critical information.
Global Cooperation Matters: International collaboration is vital for overcoming jurisdictional challenges and ensuring effective enforcement across multiple legal systems.
The ‘Code is Law’ Debate: As smart contracts become more prevalent, ethical and legal questions arise. Should exploiting code loopholes be considered fraud?
Future-Proofing Asset Recovery: Shifts in regulatory enforcement and judicial interpretation will define how asset recovery adapts to emerging technologies and new forms of fraud.
Resources
Weirfoulds | Jessica Stansfield - Insights
BBC News | Quadriga: The cryptocurrency exchange that lost $135m
Weirfoulds | Rule of Law ‘2’, Code is Law ‘0’?
The Globe and Mail Feature | Medjedovic Case
Asset Recovery International | Dublin Feb 25 - 27
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