– Managing Partner

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Professional Qualifications

  • Diploma in Business Administration, Tunku Abdul Rahman College (Merit)
  • Bachelor of Laws (Honour), University of London (Second Upper 2:1)
  • Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP), Malaysia Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) (Second Upper 2:1)
  • Advocate & Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya

Languages

  • English
  • Malay
  • Chinese
  • Cantonese

Marcus founded his own practice by the name of Marcus Tan & Co. (“MTC”) and later joined by other partners with the same vision to becoming a legal-preneur.

Presently, MTC offers legal services on various areas of practice such as corporate and emerging technology, dispute resolution, construction, real estate laws and offshore Labuan matters. MTC is a member firm in the Law Firm Network, a global association of independent law firms from 60 countries.

MTC is situated in the heart of city which is opposite KLCC, the Twin Towers, focusing in corporate and technology laws. Marcus is the Managing Partner of the firm and heading the corporate and technology department.

Marcus is currently the legal adviser of Huobi Labuan, a licensed digital asset money brokerage entity in Labuan. He is also the official custodian of Tokenize Exchange, a digital asset exchange licensed by Securities Commission, Malaysia.

He is a senior partner in Censuria Capital, a private equity management corporation (PEMC) licensed by Securities Commission, Malaysia.

He is also a member in the Audit Committee of Tunku Abdul Rahman University College Education Foundation. Marcus is a director in GDC Management Ltd, a fund management company licensed by Labuan Financial Services Authority.

Associations

  • Malaysia Emerging Technology Association, Secretary-General
  • South-East Asia Commerce Association, Committee Member
  • Johor, Muar Kun Seng Keng Lion Dance Association, Legal Adviser
  • Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (Kuala Lumpur) Electrical Home Appliances Dealers’ Association (SWEDA), Legal Adviser
  • The Federation of Malaysian Electrical Appliances Dealers’ Association (FOMEDA), Legal Adviser

Corporate Social Responsibilities

  • Audit Committee, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College Foundation
  • Legal Adviser for 2019 Create @ Alibaba Startup Contest (Malaysia) organised by Alibaba Cloud
  • Featured legal guests for various online and offline media such as The Edge Markets, 988FM, AiFM, CityPlus FM, NTV7, TV3, Nanyang Siang Pau and etc
  • Featured legal author and writer for local printed media, Sin Chew Jit Poh for pro-bono legal advisory
  • Visiting guest lecturer at Southern University College on Professional Certificate in Live Streaming & Visual Marketing
  • Visiting guest lecturer at various local universities and colleges for emerging technology, entertainment, new media and corporate and commercial laws
  • In 2015, represented four University Malaya students on pro-bono basis to initiate legal action against the University Malaya, Minister of Higher Education and Government of Malaysia where the university initiated internal disciplinary action against the fours for organising and participating in peaceful assembly
  • Featured speaker for various major corporate and technology conferences such as:
  • Bloconomic
  • Industries 4.0 Meets Blockchain
  • Blockchain Solutions Asia
  • ASEAN Legal Alliance Conference
  • Malaysia E-Commerce Expo
  • Malaysia International Logistics & Warehousing Solutions Exhibition

Practicing Areas

Emerging
Technology

  • Blockchain & Digital Asset
  • Token Offering
  • Digital Asset Exchanges
  • Digital Asset Brokerage Platforms
  • Software Development
  • E-Commerce
  • Cybersecurity

Media and
Telecommunication

  • Telecommunication & Broadcasting
  • Film and TV Productions
  • Artists Engagement
  • New Media Laws
  • Media Finance
  • Media Licensing

Corporate and
Commercial

  • IPO & RTO
  • Variable Interest Entity (VIE)
  • Merger & Acquisition
  • Corporate & Commercial Laws
  • Labuan Offshore Corporate Matters
  • Securities Laws
  • Anti-money Laundering Laws
  • Data Protection & Privacy

Notable Transactions / Experiences

  • Official digital asset custodian for Tokenize, a digital asset exchange licensed by the Securities Commission, Malaysia
  • Headed and assisted the consultation and legal affairs of several digital asset exchanges and/or brokerage platforms in both Malaysia and offshore Labuan
  • IPO legal counsel for several local corporate entities into capital market of Malaysia such as LEAP
  • Advised a foreign public listed company in relation to matter of cybersecurity / cyberattack involving ransomware and leakage of confidential information
  • Concluded several acquisitions of shares of company and sale and purchase transactions involving shopping complexes and office towers in Klang Valley

Brief Introduction

Marcus graduated in business administration in 2007 in Tunku Abdul Rahman College (now known as Tunku Abdul Rahman University College). In 2013, he completed his law degree (Bachelor of Laws) from the University of London with 2:1 second upper class and obtained his Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) in 2014 on part time basis by gaining practical legal experiences in a legal firm simultaneously. He was one of the only seven CLP candidates who had obtained 2:1 second upper class nationwide. He was then being admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 2015. Marcus started off his legal career in 2011 by gaining practical experience in a litigation department of prestigious boutique legal firms in Kuala Lumpur. Among others, he was involved in the infamous Batang Kali Massacre suit’s legal team initiated by the representatives of 24 unarmed civilians against the British Government whom were killed by the British Scot Guards during the Malayan Emergency. He also involved and headed the legal suits pertaining to drug trafficking, cyber-terrorist and other matters.

With his experiences in litigating commercial and corporate dispute in the courts of law involving pre-IPO and public listed as well as unlisted companies such as minority oppression, shareholders and directors dispute, he also advises corporate entities on corporate finance, business restructuring, off-shore transaction, corporate conveyancing transaction, take over, merger & acquisition and drafting of corporate agreements.

Marcus heads the consultation and legal compliances of various foreign ICO and digital token and assets (cryptocurrency) trading platform (exchanges) locally and in offshore jurisdictions. He represents and assists clients in technology laws related legal matters such as issuance of token offering, compliance of foreign and local digital assets trading platform’s internal guidelines for listing of tokens, advisory on compliance of laws and structuring of KYC / e-KYC etc for fintech companies and the application of blockchain. Marcus also headed the completion and submission of application for digital asset exchange operator to the Securities Commission for technology corporate client.

He often dispensing legal advices on commercial compliances framework to the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, in particularly on the Companies Act, Anti Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA), Contracts Act, Financial Services Act (FSA), Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), cyber laws and other corporate related laws. He conducts seminars and workshops on technology and corporate law related issues. He is also the guest speaker DJ for various medias’ legal talk show such as CityPlus FM, AiFM, 988 FM, NTV7 and etc in Malaysia.

PUBLICATIONS
  • Employee Handbook Plan & Design 2020 – 2021 中小企业第一本员工手册规范《超级员工手册》设计指南

  • The Global Catalyst – “The Impact of Blockchain Technology on Industry” A special edition global magazine published by the Confexhub Group, a leading thought leader network solutions provider focuses on innovative business and investment conferences

  • Current Law Journal (CLJ), The Law Review 2018 – “An Evaluation of the Malaysian Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and the Singaporean Personal Data Protection Act 2012”