Let´s get to know Daniel a bit better!

What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Really poor language in online newspaper articles like the excessive use of “hylle”, “hudflette” and “bønnfalle”!

Any book or author that has inspired you?
Hans Rosling’s “Factfulness” - about the way we perceive human welfare in the world and its development to be much worse than it actually is - the point is that we should be critical towards “common knowledge” and tabloid news.

What could you talk about all day?
Payment services and legal issues - haha, not kidding.

Name one thing about yourself that your Linkedin profile doesn’t tell us.
I am a great master of making red-currant jelly. And pancakes!

Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Galliano shots (aka “Hot Shots”) and 90’s dance music!

What is your favourite Twist (chocolate), and why?
Marsipan.

Who would you like to nominate next?
Silje Algrøy - Legal & Compliance Officer in Horde

Questions from Thomas Tjøstheim:

How did you become a Fintech superstar lawyer – and what is it with Fintech that triggers you?
I find it very inspiring to help different startups and people with creative mindsets that do old-fashioned stuff in a new and much more user-oriented way - that fits with old-fashioned regulation. In lack of a better answer, I think enthusiasm is probably my strongest success factor.

What do you think are the main barriers to cooperation between startups and more established businesses – and what can be done to overcome them?
I think the connection between people is the most important factor to any cooperation. Therefore, the kind of forums and groups that are created by Finance Innovation is a stepping stone to overcome these barriers.

How does your legal counseling differ for startups and established businesses, and how can you as a lawyer help startups drive innovation forward?
Since startups generally have fewer resources, I try to give advice in a form that is less stringent and costly - although of course still within regulations as I see it.

What are your thoughts on the late implementation of PSD2 APIs in Norwegian banks?
It has surprised me, and I think it's a drawback for the Norwegian financial sector as a whole.

What, in your opinion, are the reasons behind this?
Not to be speculative, I’ll say lack of resources dedicated to it.

With the EU taxonomy on its way, how do you think the financial sector should prepare?

The most important thing is to understand the huge implications of the taxonomy and the other parts of the EU Action Plan for Sustainable Finance, for almost all types of financial services.

Do you think the taxonomy is just a boon or is it also troublesome for the finance industry?

I think the taxonomy is just the right way to go. Although it will be challenging, I think it will lead to good results, for example, better risk processes. And maybe make the financial sector an important contributor towards a better future for the world.

How does the taxonomy affect insurance companies in particular?
We have just gotten some more details on this from the proposed draft delegated act to article 8 of the taxonomy, detailing how insurance companies would need to disclose the proportion of their underwriting that is related to taxonomy-aligned business. As an example!

How would you compare the regulatory landscape within fintech in Norway with the other Nordic countries?
Most of the financial regulatory landscape is EU-based and therefore the same. However, there are some specific differences due to special legislation in Norway and some due to the late implementation of EU rules. Crowdfunding and loan intermediation are examples of such areas.

What can we learn from them?
Maybe to implement the EU directives when we are supposed to?