Contributors

Steven Pettigrove, Partner Piper Alderman

Steven is a Partner in the Financial Services and Fintech Team at Piper Alderman and Head of the Blockchain Group. He advises on commercial, regulatory and disputes matters relating to emerging technologies, focusing on blockchain and digital assets. He has over 15 years’ experience as a regulatory and litigation specialist, and startup founder.

Steven is co-author of Blockchain and the Law in Australia published by Lexis Nexis. Steven is ranked Band 2 for Fintech Legal by Chambers. In 2025, he is ranked "Next Generation Partner" for Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory by Legal500 (having previously been ranked "Rising Star").

Steven is admitted as a legal practitioner in Australia, Hong Kong and England & Wales and practices in Victoria, Australia.

Michael Bacina, NXT Law

Michael leverages nearly 20 years of legal experience to provide highly commercial advice to digital asset and fintech clients concerning offshore structuring, token launches, contracts, project development and funds involving offshore structures. He is a founding partner of NXT Law in the Cayman Islands and also serves as Deputy Chair of the Blockchain Association of hte Cayman Islands as well as Executive-in-Residence with Global Digital Finance, helping to drive policy and regulatory change to enable digital asset trading around the world.

Chambers & Partners have ranked Michael 'Band 1' since 2019 for his work and he is recognised in Who's Who Legal and the Legal500. From 2019 to 2024 Michael served on the Board of the Digital Economy Council of Australia and from 2014 to 2024 he served on the Board of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce. From 2016 to 2024 Michael led the Piper Alderman blockchain team and worked closely with Steven.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Commerce (MQU), a Bachelor of Laws (MQU), a Masters of Laws (UNSW) and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (College of Law). He is admitted to practice law in the Cayman Islands and Australia (non-practising).

Current Additional Contributors

Emma Assaf
Luke Higgins

Past Contributors

Bits of Blocks has benefited from the past contributions of a number of rising lawyers over the years, including, in alphabetical order:-

Emma Assaf
Mark Dehani
Sally Fetouh
Luke Higgins
Jake Huang
Kelly Kim
Konnie Lontos
Jordan Markezic
Jade McGlynn
Luke Misthos
Timothy Masters
Dorothy Sam
Tom Skevington
Barbara Vrettos
Petros Xenos
Louisa Xu