Anand Sithian

Overview

For high-stakes internal and government investigations and complex regulatory and compliance matters, companies and individuals look to Anand to provide strategic advice and counseling, particularly on issues relating to the Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering (“BSA/AML”), economic sanctions, and digital assets. Anand is resident in the firm’s New York office and a member of the firm’s International Trade, White Collar and Regulatory Enforcement, and Financial Services groups.

A former federal prosecutor, Anand leverages his government experience to guide clients through complex white-collar matters, including grand jury and regulatory investigations, enforcement proceedings, and internal investigations. Anand has deep experience in parallel criminal and civil investigations and proceedings, and often represents clients in defending against civil lawsuits related to government investigations.

Representing some of the world’s largest banks and technology companies, Anand has addressed a wide range of issues, including economic sanctions, BSA/AML; economic sanctions and national security; payments and cryptocurrency; securities laws; and cybersecurity enforcement. In the regulatory space, Anand prides himself on providing commercial and actionable advice, including in the developing areas of digital assets, FinTech, and payments.

He has represented both U.S. and foreign clients in a variety of investigations and regulatory matters before the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) (including a number of U.S. Attorney’s offices), banking agencies—including the Federal Reserve, and the New York Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”)—and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Anand routinely advises clients on asset forfeiture seizures and cases, including advising on recovery of seized assets on behalf of victims and third-parties.

Anand also closely partners with the firm’s leading Privacy and Cybersecurity group in advising clients on SEC enforcement and compliance considerations in connection with incident response and the SEC’s cybersecurity incident regulations.

Anand is a frequent writer and is often sought after for his insights on cutting-edge legal matters pertaining to digital assets. He is regularly quoted in media outlets including Bloomberg, CNBC, Barron’s, Coindesk, The Block, and Blockworks.

Government Service

Following law school, Anand joined the DOJ through the Attorney General’s Honors Program and served as a trial attorney in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (“MLARS”). While at the DOJ, Anand investigated and prosecuted a wide array of matters involving asset forfeiture, money laundering, AML compliance, the BSA, and economic sanctions.

A former federal prosecutor, Anand leverages his government experience to guide clients through complex white-collar matters, including grand jury and regulatory investigations, enforcement proceedings, and internal investigations. Anand has deep experience in parallel criminal and civil investigations and proceedings, and often represents clients in defending against civil lawsuits related to government investigations.

Representing some of the world’s largest banks and technology companies, Anand has addressed a wide range of issues, including economic sanctions, BSA/AML; economic sanctions and national security; payments and cryptocurrency; securities laws; and cybersecurity enforcement. In the regulatory space, Anand prides himself on providing commercial and actionable advice, including in the developing areas of digital assets, FinTech, and payments.

He has represented both U.S. and foreign clients in a variety of investigations and regulatory matters before the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) (including a number of U.S. Attorney’s offices), banking agencies—including the Federal Reserve, and the New York Department of Financial Services (“NYDFS”)—and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Anand routinely advises clients on asset forfeiture seizures and cases, including advising on recovery of seized assets on behalf of victims and third-parties.

Anand also closely partners with the firm’s leading Privacy and Cybersecurity group in advising clients on SEC enforcement and compliance considerations in connection with incident response and the SEC’s cybersecurity incident regulations.

Anand is a frequent writer and is often sought after for his insights on cutting-edge legal matters pertaining to digital assets. He is regularly quoted in media outlets including Bloomberg, CNBC, Barron’s, Coindesk, The Block, and Blockworks.

Government Service

Following law school, Anand joined the DOJ through the Attorney General’s Honors Program and served as a trial attorney in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (“MLARS”). While at the DOJ, Anand investigated and prosecuted a wide array of matters involving asset forfeiture, money laundering, AML compliance, the BSA, and economic sanctions.

Career & Education

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Department of Justice
Trial Attorney, Criminal Division, Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, 2011–2014
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorneys' Offices, District of Columbia, 2011–2012
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York, 2013–2014
- Department of Justice
  Trial Attorney, Criminal Division, Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, 2011–2014
  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorneys' Offices, District of Columbia, 2011–2012
  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York, 2013–2014
Tufts University, B.A., 2006
Emory University School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2011
- Tufts University, B.A., 2006
- Emory University School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2011
New Jersey
New York
- New Jersey
- New York

Anand's Insights

Speaking Engagement | 11.19.24

New Takeaways Affecting Compliance Priorities

Client Alert | 8 min read | 11.12.24
The Month in International Trade – October 2024
Client Alert | 8 min read | 10.09.24
The Month in International Trade – September 2024
Client Alert | 4 min read | 10.02.24
Keurig Dr Pepper Settles with SEC for Misleading Claims Regarding Recycling

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Representative Matters

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Digital Assets / Blockchain / FinTech

Advised digital assets custodian in connection with limited purpose trust charter application (i.e., a “BitLicense”) to the NYDFS and engaged with NYDFS on regulatory questions.
Advising third-party market maker in connection with SEC enforcement investigation, compliance advice, and SEC enforcement action against token issuer.
Advising foreign crypto derivatives platform on sanctions and AML compliance, including drafting AML and sanctions compliance policies and procedures.
Advised digital assets payments platform on BSA/AML and sanctions risk assessment in connection with potential application to the OCC for a digital assets trust charter.
Advising venture capital arm of major token project on entry into the United States and related compliance considerations.
Advised non-fungible token (“NFT”) marketplace on digital assets / NFT insider trading policy.
Advised FinTech on BSA/AML considerations regarding customer rewards program and implications under FinCEN pre-paid access regulations.
Advised digital assets pre-paid card provider on AML and sanctions-related compliance.
Advised leading payments platform on AML questions regarding Suspicious Activity Reports (“SARs”), including use by affiliates and potential unauthorized SAR disclosure issues.
Advised FinTech lending platform on know-your-customer (“KYC”) obligations under OCC and FinCEN customer identification program (“CIP”) rules and guidance.