Michelle Ann Gitlitz is Of Counsel at Arktouros PLLC. Michelle specializes in financial crimes compliance and defense, with a focus on cryptocurrency, payments systems, and decentralized finance.  She has designed and reviewed state and federal AML and cybersecurity compliance programs for financial institutions, cryptocurrency exchangers, and payment services companies. She also assists companies in applying for state money transmission licenses and with day-to-day compliance for license holders. Michelle is a frequent speaker, writer, and collaborator with federal and state regulators and legislators on money transmission and payments issues.

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Michelle is the author of Reimagining Payments: The Business Case for Digital Currencies (Racquet Publishing 2023) (available on Amazon). The book imparts strategic and tactical advice for senior business leaders on the benefits of digital currency payments and the future of commerce. Michelle has served as a New York State court-appointed fiduciary receiver in the case NYAG v. Coinseed (Index No. 450366/2021) with special powers to locate and safeguard investments made in a defunct cryptocurrency platform.

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Michelle previously served as general counsel and corporate secretary of a global payments company, was the co-head of the financial services practice group of an AmLaw 100 law firm, and was the global head of the blockchain and digital asset practice groups at two AmLaw 100 law firms.