AJ Dhaliwal is a Washington, D.C.-based attorney who writes about the intersection of consumer finance, fintech, and regulation. He is a partner at Sheppard Mullin, where he advises companies ranging from startups to global banks on how to navigate complex legal frameworks in payments, lending, embedded finance, and digital platforms. His work focuses on the evolving rules that govern how people spend, save, and move money—whether through traditional financial institutions or emerging technologies like earned wage access, crypto, and gaming ecosystems. AJ has represented clients before federal and state regulators and routinely speaks on topics like digital UX compliance, financial data rights, and enforcement trends. He believes the future of finance is already being shaped in unexpected places—from app interfaces to virtual economies—and uses his Forbes column to help business leaders understand where regulation is headed next.
The Fed’s ‘Skinny' Master Account: What It Means For Fintech Strategy
The Fed wants to give fintechs limited access to its payment rails by end of 2026. What the accounts actually do, and four moves to make right now.
Fintech Faces Strategy Shift After New York Consumer Protection Revamp
New York is raising the bar on fintech with new consumer protection laws, CRA-style lending rules, AI oversight, and enforcement priorities every GC should track.
State Regulators Step Into The Driver’s Seat In Consumer Finance
State regulators reshape consumer finance with stricter oversight, challenging federal authority and impacting banks, fintechs and borrowers.
The OCC Just Removed A Major Barrier To Banks Entering Blockchain
The OCC’s new interpretive letter allows banks to hold crypto-assets for network fees and testing, removing key barriers to blockchain-based custody and settlement.
The Charter Pivot: Inside Fintech’s Next Phase Of Maturity
Fintechs are shifting from bank partnerships to pursuing their own charters as regulators reopen the door, signaling a new phase of maturity in financial innovation.
How The Anti-Debanking Order Could Impact Fintechs
How new federal rules targeting ”debanking" are reshaping fintech compliance, risk management, and access to banking services in politically sensitive sectors.
New York Regulator Requires Banks To Deploy Blockchain Analytics Tools
New York requires banks in crypto to deploy blockchain analytics tools, extending compliance standards from digital asset firms to traditional financial institutions.
Embedded Finance And Alternative Data Signal The End Of Bank-Led Lending
Traditional bank lending is being disrupted by embedded finance and alternative data. New regulatory risks emerge as credit moves into apps, platforms, and ecosystems.
Home Equity Investments Face A Legal Reality Check
Major banks and investors pour billions into home equity investments, but courts are ruling these 'no debt' products are actually loans, creating compliance concerns.
Why ‘Regulatory Pullback’ Could Be Fintech’s Biggest Risk In 2025
The absence of clear federal rules doesn’t mean freedom. It means fragmentation, higher costs, and unpredictable compliance across 50 states.