Executive regulatory & legal leadership

REAL DEAL ADVISORY

Building trusted compliance frameworks that drive revenue and scale.

A name rooted in decades of direct, no-BS execution. Bank-grade regulatory architecture for high-growth tech.

Lesley O’Neill is a New York–admitted attorney and certified risk executive with 15+ years of experience leading bank-grade compliance, regulatory strategy, financial crime compliance, and privacy governance for tier-one technology and financial institutions.

Having served in top C-suite roles, including Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, CCO, and Chief Regulatory Officer, Lesley brings deep board-level perspective to complex market architecture. Lesley’s expertise spans CFTC regulatory licensing readiness, tokenized asset frameworks, enterprise AI governance, and end-to-end information security controls. She collaborates directly with executive leadership teams, founders, and boards to replace restrictive compliance models with proactive, bank-grade control systems designed to unlock new markets, survive intensive regulatory scrutiny, and secure long-term commercial growth.

Abstract dimensional compliance and risk artwork

Credentials

NY State Bar License (since 2009)

CIPP/E · Certified Information Privacy Professional / Europe

Chief Risk & Compliance Officer

15+ YEARS

Backed by 15+ years of senior leadership across leading crypto, identity, and global financial institutions, Lesley O’Neill specializes in building bulletproof enterprise control systems for regulated businesses. As a New York–admitted attorney and CIPP/E practitioner, she architectures pragmatic risk, compliance, and regulatory strategy tailored for complex and emerging markets. From data privacy and AI governance to end-to-end BSA/AML frameworks, her work establishes the market trust that allows ambitious companies to move fast and accelerate growth.

Strategic advisory

Board-ready regulatory architecture for complex markets.

Enterprise Privacy & AI Governance

Comprehensive global privacy architecture, cross-border data protection, data classification, GDPR/CCPA readiness, and practical Privacy Impact Assessments.

Enterprise Privacy & AI Governance

Comprehensive global privacy architecture, cross-border data protection, data classification, GDPR/CCPA readiness, and practical Privacy Impact Assessments.

Cybersecurity Controls & Governance

End-to-end information security frameworks, SOC 2/PCI alignment, vendor risk management, and administrative control systems designed for institutional audits.

Cybersecurity Controls & Governance

End-to-end information security frameworks, SOC 2/PCI alignment, vendor risk management, and administrative control systems designed for institutional audits.

Due Diligence Support

Targeted regulatory, compliance, privacy, and risk diligence for M&A, IPO readiness, regulatory examinations, and third-party risk reviews.

Due Diligence Support

Targeted regulatory, compliance, privacy, and risk diligence for M&A, IPO readiness, regulatory examinations, and third-party risk reviews.

BSA/AML Frameworks & Market Integrity

Custom BSA/AML architecture, risk assessments, and governance models—built to seamlessly integrate trade surveillance and fraud controls without operational drag.

BSA/AML Frameworks & Market Integrity

Custom BSA/AML architecture, risk assessments, and governance models—built to seamlessly integrate trade surveillance and fraud controls without operational drag.

CFTC & Regulatory Licensing Readiness

DCM/DCO application frameworks, core principle alignment, and agency engagement for emerging market platforms.

CFTC & Regulatory Licensing Readiness

DCM/DCO application frameworks, core principle alignment, and agency engagement for emerging market platforms.

RWA & Tokenization Regulatory Architecture

Cross-border compliance programs, risk frameworks, and governance for institutional real-world asset digitization and token launches.

RWA & Tokenization Regulatory Architecture

Cross-border compliance programs, risk frameworks, and governance for institutional real-world asset digitization and token launches.

Deliverables

Engagements produce practical compliance frameworks, board-ready policies and standards, and ongoing compliance advisory across regulatory architecture, licensing, BSA/AML, fraud, AI governance, data privacy, and digital asset markets.

Executive record

Leadership experience at the intersection of regulation, technology, and market infrastructure.

Prime Ledger

Chief Risk & Compliance Officer · Leading regulatory and risk infrastructure for digital asset advisory and lifecycle solutions for real-world assets.

Binance.US

Chief Compliance Officer · Directed regulatory strategy, BSA/AML and fraud programs, and CFTC DCM/DCO licensing initiatives.

Prove Identity

CCO & Interim General Counsel · Built global compliance and privacy programs across three M&A acquisitions and IPO readiness.

EY & Bloomberg LP

Global Privacy Counsel and cybersecurity policy framework lead across enterprise technology and data governance environments.

Current advisory roles

Helping teams build for what’s next.

Astralis Chain — Enterprise DEX for RWAs and IDV Services.

Flipper AI — DEX and trading aggregator leveraging AI for multi-market execution and smart routing.

Evedex — Hybrid self-custodial exchange combining centralized liquidity with decentralized risk and settlement controls.

Optoutrights.org — automated opt-out mechanisms and privacy rights tools for consumers.

Engagement

Bring your compliance strategy into focus.

Real Deal Advisory partners with leadership teams navigating consequential risk, compliance, privacy, and regulatory decisions.

If you’re interested in any of the services listed above, contact: lesley@realdealadvisory.com.