Senior Counsel, Product and Regulatory Affairs (Liquidity)

Circle

Circle

Product, Legal
Washington, DC, USA · United States · Washington, DC, USA
Posted on Sep 13, 2024

Circle is a financial technology company at the epicenter of the emerging internet of money, where value can finally travel like other digital data — globally, nearly instantly and less expensively than legacy settlement systems. This ground-breaking new internet layer opens up previously unimaginable possibilities for payments, commerce and markets that can help raise global economic prosperity and enhance inclusion. Our infrastructure – including USDC, a blockchain-based dollar – helps businesses, institutions and developers harness these breakthroughs and capitalize on this major turning point in the evolution of money and technology.

What you’ll be part of:

Circle is committed to visibility and stability in everything we do. As we grow as an organization, we're expanding into some of the world's strongest jurisdictions. Speed and efficiency are motivators for our success and our employees live by our company values: Multistakeholder, Mindfulness, Driven by Excellence and High Integrity. Circlers are consistently evolving in a remote world where strength in numbers fuels team success. We have built a flexible and diverse work environment where new ideas are encouraged and everyone is a stakeholder.

What you’ll be responsible for:

You will play an immediate and direct role as Senior Counsel, with responsibility for: (i) supporting Circle’s Product Team in the development of novel digital asset products and (ii) offering clear, concise regulatory advice to Circle’s business teams relating to U.S. and international digital asset regulatory matters.

What you'll work on:

  • Provide advice on US and international laws and regulations relating to digital assets, including with respect to banking relationships, international expansion and licensing initiatives.
  • Provide support to Circle’s product team in its development of a suite of integrated, scalable, digital asset products and services, including novel blockchain products and services relating to stablecoins, digital wallets, Web3 applications, and decentralized finance.
  • Address legal risk in business-centric ways, developing processes to solve problems, strengthening partnerships and advancing opportunities.
  • Remain up-to-date on relevant securities law, crypto and digital currency developments to ensure an ongoing ability to provide robust product area coverage and support for commercial developments.

You will aspire to our four core values:

  • Multistakeholder - you have dedication and commitment to our customers, shareholders, employees and families and local communities.
  • Mindful - you seek to be respectful, an active listener and to pay attention to detail.
  • Driven by Excellence - you are driven by our mission and our passion for customer success which means you relentlessly pursue excellence, that you do not tolerate mediocrity and you work intensely to achieve your goals.
  • High Integrity - you seek open and honest communication, and you hold yourself to very high moral and ethical standards. You reject manipulation, dishonesty and intolerance.

What you’ll bring to Circle:

  • Juris Doctor degree and active law license in at least one state in good standing.
  • 12+ years of combined in-house/Biglaw experience, including leading regulatory coverage, preferably in fintech, banking, payments, capital markets or other institutional financial services.
  • Ability to coordinate regulatory review of new jurisdictions globally including collaborating with outside counsel in jurisdictions where local expertise is needed.
  • Support for product launches related to international USDC distribution and liquidity networks, and related banking partnerships.
  • Familiarity of the AML/CFT and sanctions regulatory environment for digital assets globally, including the BSA, OFAC and other sanctions regulations, and travel rule requirements.
  • Familiarity with U.S. securities law, related SEC regulations, the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations.
  • Passion for financial technology and proven experience covering cryptocurrency, blockchain, or fintech matters.
  • Ability to navigate a complex, nuanced, and evolving regulatory environment and provide clear, actionable advice.
  • Team player with a sense of humor, and enjoy learning but also mentoring.
  • Ability to learn quickly and support new areas of business and technology.
  • Strong development of business partnerships, interpersonal skills, and work ethic.
  • Proficiency in Google Suite, Slack and Apple MacOS preferred.

Additional Information:

  • This position is eligible for day-one PERM sponsorship for qualified candidates.

Circle is on a mission to create an inclusive financial future, with transparency at our core. We consider a wide variety of elements when crafting our compensation ranges and total compensation packages.

Starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to: relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, and other business and organizational needs. Please note that compensation ranges may differ for candidates in other locations.

Base Pay Range: $207,500 - $270,000

Annual Bonus Target: 17.5%

Also Included: Equity & Benefits (including medical, dental, vision and 401(k)). Circle has a discretionary vacation policy. We also provide 10 days of paid sick leave per year and 11 paid holidays per year in the U.S.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Circle. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Additionally, Circle participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.

#LI-Remote