Overview
Carol R. Van Cleef is of counsel with LBKM. She has over 40 years’ experience as a lawyer and consultant in the financial services industry, including more than 20 years as a partner in AML 100 law firms. Ms. Van Cleef counsels a wide range of clients on blockchain, fintech and related compliance issues. In addition to advising on a number of rapidly evolving issues involving decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, central bank digital currencies, token issuances and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), she has an expertise in federal and state banking and money transmitter regulation, anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance, and other payments-related issues.
Ms. Van Cleef is a past president of Women in Housing and Finance and currently chairs the Digital Asset and Blockchain Forum. She is founding member of the Association of Women in Crypto. She is a member of the board of directors of the not-for-profit Travel Rule Information Sharing Alliance (TRISA), and participates in a number of other trade-related groups.
She created and chairs the annual Crypto Summit at the Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crimes. She is also a founder of the Cambridge Crypto Compliance Consortium. She is a frequent speaker on cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, virtual currencies, payment systems, and related compliance issues.
Ms. Van Cleef is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. She is also a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
She was honored to be named to Forbes’ inaugural 50 Over 50 (Investment).
Professional Affiliations
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Chair, Digital Asset and Blockchain Forum
- Founding Member, Association of Women in Crypto
- Founder, Cambridge Crypto Compliance Consortium
Publications & Events
The U.S. lags other countries in crypto adoption, and unfavorable policy is only one reason. Another is that the problems crypto addresses are more prevalent in other countries. Join LBKM's Carol Van Cleef and fellow panelists at this open forum to share your experience and ideas about what moves the needle on crypto adoption and usage around the world.
Austin, TX, May 29, 2024Carol Van Cleef authored a chapter in this treatise in which industry leaders provide insightful analysis on how emerging advances in Web3, Blockchain, and Metaverse law interact within new and existing legal frameworks. Formerly published as A Practical Guide to Smart Contracts and Blockchain Law.
LexisNexis Canada, February 14, 2024
In the News
- Crypto Compliance podcast, June 25, 2024
Carol Van Cleef provided analysis in Money Laundering Bulletin on attempts by regulators to bring the cryptocurrency sector under AML/CFT control.
Money Laundering Bulletin, February 26, 2024Carol Van Cleef was quoted in Money Laundering Bulletin on the dynamic compliance frontline of sanctions enforcement.
Money Laundering Bulletin, February 19, 2024
Practice Areas
Education
- American University, Washington College of Law (J.D. 1984)
- Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service (B.S.F.S. 1978)
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Virginia