Get to Know Our Head of Legal & Compliance: Federico Fabiano

Hi Federico, can you tell our community a bit about yourself? 

Born and raised in Italy, I moved to Singapore and then Shanghai after my LLB in 2008 with the intention to develop and expand my professional career in such a vibrant part of the world. I have been living and working as a lawyer in Hong Kong for ten years, and I am still excited about being in this city.  

What initially got you interested in the digital assets ecosystem?‍ 

I was primarily attracted by the innovation and disruptive approach that blockchain and digital assets are bringing to traditional industries, above and beyond the conventional finance world.

What was it about Hex Trust which made you want to join the team? 

Hex Trust has been at the forefront of the blockchain revolution since its inception, and the backbone of it has always been the safekeeping of digital assets, an attribute that not until recent time was certainly underestimated by most in this industry.

You’re our Head of Legal & Compliance; what exactly does that mean you do?

It’s a role with a lot of responsibilities and complexities when it comes to dealing with a rising yet sometimes immature industry, but it’s also exciting to be part of it and witness firsthand the traditional legal & compliance schemes and frameworks applying to such an innovative business. 

You have a lot of experience in the legal sector, how does the digital asset world compare to other sectors you’ve worked in? 

There are similarities between the traditional finance and the digital assets worlds, but, in my view, the mistake is to deal with, and try to solve, legal and compliance issues pertaining to digital assets with approaches belonging solely to traditional finance. 

What are you most excited about in blockchain today? 

The fact that it’s disruptive and evolving fast, it may soon become more and more part of our everyday life.

Tell us something interesting that you do outside of work, and which not many people know about you!‍ 

I like to keep myself fit and healthy; I work out a lot, especially CrossFit and I also play beach volley on weekends. I enjoy cooking for friends and family at my place.

Finally, here are some quick-fire questions!

Beach, snow or city break? Beach, definitely
Favourite fast food joint? I don’t eat fast food

‍Morning person or night owl? Morning person

‍Favourite sports team? Juventus FC

‍Dogs or cats? Dogs

‍Sweet or salted popcorn? Salted

‍Coffee or tea? Coffee

‍What scares you? Being unplanned and unprepared

‍Favourite film? There are a few but I probably watched these 2 movies more than 5x times: The Godfather and The Hunt for Red October.

‍What would you eat for your last meal? I think I would order a T-bone steak.