Schoenherr has advised Solus Advanced Materials' subsidiary Volta Energy Solutions Hungary on a USD 28 million loan from the EBRD for the construction of a copper foil factory. Dentons advised the EBRD.

The initiative of the European Commission aims to support innovation and fair competition by creating a framework for the issuance and provision of services related to crypto-assets. The Commission believes that where crypto-assets are not covered by the financial regulation of the European Union, the absence of applicable rules to services related to such assets leaves consumers and investors exposed to substantial risks. It aims to ensure a high level of consumer and investor protection as well as market integrity in the crypto-asset markets, and to address financial stability and monetary policy risks that could arise from the wide use of crypto-assets in financial markets.

Schoenherr has advised Fressnapf Hungary on its agreement to lease 1,700 square meters of office space in the Millennium Gardens building from TriGranit. Orban & Perlaki reportedly advised TriGranit.

Romanian taxpayers had an exciting start to the year with the Government introducing changes to the country's main tax laws – the Fiscal Code and the Tax Procedural Code. These amendments, which follow others announced at the end of last year, were introduced in accelerated fashion, having been debated for only a few days prior to adoption.

Through its 11 November 2021 law ("Law 175/2021"), the Moldovan Parliament passed certain amendments to existing legislation with the goal of digitalising the national economy. As a result, the norms implemented have made it simpler to establish, operate and sell companies in Moldova.

Schoenherr has advised Easelink on its EUR 8.3 million Series A financing round. Taylor Wessing advised SET Ventures on leading the round. KPMG Law advised co-investor EnBW New Ventures. Grama Schwaighofer Vondrak reportedly advised co-investor Smartworks.

A long-awaited bill on preventive restructuring (Bill), implementing the directive on preventive restructuring frameworks, will introduce a brand-new legal tool preventing the insolvency of viable enterprises in temporary financial difficulties.

At the end of each year, business development and marketing specialists across the globe are busy identifying strategies and components to plan an annual marketing budget. Accordingly, this time around, given the season, we asked Law Firm Marketing experts across the CEE region a question: Which metrics do you look at when planning your marketing budget?

CMS has advised Privredna Banka Zagreb on refinancing and acquisition financing for the Danilo and Rudine wind farms. Kovacevic Prpic Simeunovic has advised buyer Professio Energia on the acquisition, financing, and refinancing the existing loans from the IFC and Unicredit Bank Austria. Schoenherr advised the sellers, Mirova and RP Global. Ostermann & Partners and White & Case advised the IFC and Unicredit.

On October 18, 2021, CEE Legal Matters reported that Katarzyna Sulimierska had joined Schoenherr as Head of Real Estate in Warsaw. We spoke with Sulimierska to learn more about her and her practice.

Schoenherr has advised Germany-based e-mobility company Tier Mobility on its new office lease agreement in the K6 office building in Budapest. Cerha Hempel reportedly advised the landlord.

Schoenherr, working with White & Case in Frankfurt, has advised the Austrian financial technology company Bitpanda on the expansion of its product portfolio to include exchange-traded cryptocurrencies.

Government Decree 598/2021 (the Decree) has allowed employers to order their employees to be vaccinated against covid-19 since 15 November 2021. Since it came into force, the Decree has been the subject of much discussion and interpretation by legal practitioners and commentators.

Herbst Kinsky has advised GoStudent on its EUR 300 million Series D. On the investors' side, Wolf Theiss advised Prosus, Schoenherr and Frankfurt's office of Goodwin Procter advised Left Lane Capital, and reportedly Baker McKenzie advised Tencent.

Schoenherr has advised the borrower HE Dabar on a EUR 190 million loan facility granted by the Export-Import Bank of China for the development of the 160-megawatt Dabar hydropower plant. Milbank reportedly advised CEXIM Bank on the deal.

In recent years, crowdfunding has become an increasingly popular source of financing for companies, especially start-ups. Crowdfunding is also a great marketing tool, as it allows companies to reach a wide spectrum of potential investors.

Schoenherr has advised the managers of the EUR 750 million 0.01 %. mortgage bond security issuance due 2028 and EUR 750 million 0.50 %. mortgage bond security due 2037 by Erste Group Bank AG. Wolf Theiss advised Erste Group on the deal.

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (FCA), together with the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO), has published an update to its guidelines on the application of the transaction value thresholds (Guidelines).