Michael Mix focuses his practice on cryptocurrency, blockchain, web3 and digital assets law. He represents individuals and entities in cutting edge litigation in this sector, often involving issues of first impression, and provides advice to ensure compliance with the law.
Michael has experience navigating the sometimes thorny intersection between digital assets and more established areas of law. For example, Michael has litigated and arbitrated: cryptocurrency lending, trading and derivative disputes; litigation involving the disputed ownership of cryptocurrency; digital assets startup and co-founder disputes; and class action litigation regarding whether or not certain tokens are securities. Michael also represents multiple defendants in the FTX Multidistrict Litigation proceeding pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and represented multiple defendants in an adversary proceeding brought by the FTX estate in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
Michael has filed several important amicus briefs on behalf of firm clients in landmark digital assets cases, including the SEC’s actions against Ripple and Wahi, the NYAG’s action against KuCoin and affirmative litigation brought against the SEC by industry participants. Certain of those amicus briefs detailed how court rulings in enforcement actions that are not narrowly tailored could have negative consequences for the digital asset and blockchain industry at large. A May 2024 amicus brief explained how the SEC’s “Dealer Rule” could inappropriately sweep industry participants into the statutory definition of “dealer.”
Michael writes frequently on current law issues and is a thought leader in the cryptocurrency space. He co-authored an article in Legaltech News concerning the availability of a motion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint when the underlying obligation is denominated in cryptocurrency, as well as an article in New York Law Journal exploring the unanswered question of whether victorious plaintiffs may receive a judgment in cryptocurrency rather than fiat currency.
Aside from digital assets, Michael is experienced in litigation and arbitration relating to false advertising, consumer products, vendor disputes, defamation, intellectual property and more.
Prior to joining Morrison Cohen in 2016, Michael was a litigation associate at Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, and Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, where he focused on complex commercial litigation and arbitration.