Legal Counsel

🚀 KIY ECOSYSTEM – Core Team Members Needed!
ONLY FOR SERIOUS APPLICANT!
We're building something big in Web3 Security & User Acquisition, backed by proven Web2 security veterans and crypto OGs. Now looking to expand our Core Team for 3 early-stage projects under the KIY Ecosystem:
🔍 Open Roles (for each project)
C-Suite
• CEO
• CMO
• CSO
Advisors
• Blockchain
• Tokenomics
• Technical
• Legal
• Audit
📍 Remote-first | GMT+8 Preferred
💰 Compensation: Token allocation
🧩 What We're AboutWe're a crypto-blockchain security team led by founders who’ve previously scaled Web2 security ventures. Now, we're building a decentralized ecosystem focused on protecting users and onboarding the next billion into Web3.
✅ What We’re Looking For
Strategic Partners & Leaders with:
• 2+ years in Crypto/DeFi
• Existing industry network
• Strong communication & ability to drive ecosystem growth
🤝 Your Mission:
• Build strategic partnerships across DeFi (DEXs, LPs, Institutions)
• Help shape tokenomics, product-market fit, and GTM
• Be part of a security-first movement in Web3
📩 Interested or know someone perfect for this?
Referrals welcome — we offer commissions!
Reach out at rendy@keepityourself.com
with 
Subject : [Position](space)[Full Name]
Including CV, Calendly Link and LinkedIn Profile
Thanks!

Who We Are:

Ethena Labs is a leading player in the DeFi space, crafting innovative financial products tailored for modern finance. Ethena specializes in a synthetic dollar protocol known as USDe, which offers a crypto-centric monetary solution, and sUSDe, an internationally accessible savings asset denominated in dollars.

Our main objective is to furnish truly crypto-native financial remedies that transcend global boundaries, effectively bridging the gap between the traditional financial system and the digital asset sector. We prioritize principles of transparency, efficiency, and empowerment, granting individuals and institutions greater authority over their financial holdings.

What we are Doing:

At Ethena Labs, we are actively conceptualizing and implementing a range of pioneering products designed to tackle fundamental hurdles and unlock fresh possibilities in the thriving digital finance realm.

Our flagship product, USDe, represents a synthetic dollar collateralized by digital assets, employing a unique delta-neutral hedging strategy to preserve its peg. This novel approach ensures a highly scalable and censorship-resistant digital dollar.

In continuation with USDe, we introduce sUSDe, a product that offers crypto-native rewards derived from derivative market funding rates, presenting an innovative alternative to existing products heavily reliant on traditional financial infrastructure.

Moreover, we are earnestly developing solutions to encourage the adoption of digital assets by institutional entities. In collaboration with Securitize and Blackrocks BUIDL fund, USDtb presents a more conventional, asset-backed stablecoin choice, leveraging established financial frameworks to cater to institutional clients. In tandem, iUSDe is specially tailored for traditional financial institutions, integrating essential compliance features to facilitate their access to the crypto-native rewards generated by our protocol in a manner conducive to institutional preferences.

Our most ambitious endeavor thus far is Converge, a collaborative blockchain initiative with Securitize. This hybrid blockchain architecture aims to serve as the epicenter where DeFi intersects with the requirements of CeFi and TradFi. Converge is poised to become the primary issuance layer for tokenized assets, seamlessly intertwining with existing DeFi protocols to furnish institutions with a platform to partake in the decentralized financial landscape.

Through our diverse product offerings, Ethena Labs is not only reshaping the financial product landscape but also setting the groundwork for a more open, streamlined, and interlinked global financial ecosystem.

Location: Europe

The Role

The FinCrime Manager at Ethena plays a pivotal role within the compliance team, directly reporting to the Head of Compliance and maintaining close coordination with Operations, Legal, and Product sectors. This position holds substantial responsibility in reinforcing Ethena's financial crime defenses across the core suite of products and forthcoming initiatives. As the FinCrime Manager, you will oversee investigations, sanctions assessments, and enhanced due diligence, steering the formulation of policies, playbooks, and monitoring systems essential for the scalable expansion of our operations.

This role necessitates a hands-on leadership approach: the FinCrime Manager will spearhead investigations and EDD processes daily, guide junior analysts, and act as the primary contact point for partners, auditors, and regulators concerning financial crime-related issues. The ideal candidate will be process-driven and detail-oriented yet adaptable – capable of harmonizing the pragmatic demands of a rapid crypto-native enterprise with the requisite diligence to meet regulatory standards on a global scale.

What You’ll Do

Spearhead Ethena’s financial crime operations, overseeing investigations, sanctions reviews, and high-risk case escalations across various product lines, including USDe, sUSDe, USDtb, secondary markets, and upcoming offerings.

Devise and implement enhanced due diligence protocols for institutional and B2B2C collaborations.

Develop and refine frameworks for sanctions monitoring and blacklist processes to ensure consistent and effective implementation of in-house case management and auto-blacklisting mechanisms.

Manage day-to-day investigative and monitoring tasks, establishing clear turnaround time expectations, ensuring workflow proficiency, and guaranteeing the proper handling of each case.

Establish policies and procedures for financial crime controls covering aspects such as transaction monitoring, sanctions compliance, EDD procedures, and investigations. Keep these policies updated in alignment with evolving regulatory frameworks spanning MiCA, BVI, Cayman, and other jurisdictions, and translate them into practical guidelines for the team.

Collaborate closely with Product, Legal, and Operations teams to embed financial crime controls into the fabric of Ethena's product development and launch processes.

Act as the central liaison for interactions with law enforcement agencies, regulators, and auditors regarding financial crime concerns.

Train and mentor teams across the organization, from compliance and operations staff to product managers, on recognizing financial crime risks in practice, assessing sanctions exposure in a crypto context, and fostering good monitoring practices daily.

What We’re Looking For

Demonstrated expertise in conducting financial crime investigations, with a successful track record in managing intricate crypto-related cases such as mixers, cross-chain flows, and sanctions evasion.

Proficient in utilizing blockchain analytics platforms (TRM, Chainalysis, Elliptic) and onboarding solutions (Sumsub or similar tools).

Sound comprehension of AML/CFT, KYC/KYB, and sanctions regulations, supported by a proven ability to apply these regulations within a multi-jurisdictional framework spanning EU MiCA, BVI AML, Cayman foundation, U.S. MSB, and beyond.

Experience in devising and leading EDD programs for diverse counterparties, including DAOs, offshore funds, and institutional limited partners.

Familiarity with establishing and managing AML/CFT and financial crime programs, encompassing the drafting and upkeep of policies, procedures, and playbooks.

Exposure to practices concerning audit readiness and assurance, involving tasks such as preparing for external AML/FinCrime audits and addressing control deficiencies to enhance operational robustness.

Technologically savvy individual capable of navigating Ethena's product ecosystem encompassing mint/redeem mechanisms, staking functionalities, off-exchange settlements, and adept at integrating compliance tools into operational workflows.

This role offers a salary range of $89,998 to $120,000 annually.

Why Ethena Labs?

Join the dynamic realm of Ethena Labs, a forward-thinking organization dedicated to revolutionizing decentralized finance.

Collaborate with a driven and innovative team that fosters a conducive environment for creativity and teamwork.

Experience a flexible work environment supporting remote work arrangements, with ample opportunities for professional development and learning.

If you share our vision of decoupling the dollar from governmental influence, we are eager to learn more about you!

We await your application and will be in touch following a thorough review.

In the meantime, feel free to explore more about Ethena Labs on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The Legal Team is responsible for providing legal and regulatory guidance to ensure compliance with local regulations for all products and services offered by the company, while also meeting customer needs. The team interacts with external regulators and service providers to demonstrate compliance with applicable laws.

This position will report to the Global Head of Capital Markets, Legal, and collaborate closely with the Legal Team in the EU. The main focus of this role is to be the legal expert on EU Investment Firms laws and regulations and products offered throughout the EU. The Legal Team delivers proactive legal and regulatory advice to various stakeholders to support the development and launch of products and services in alignment with legal obligations and customer requirements. The role involves collaborating across functions to identify, analyze, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks, while maximizing commercial opportunities in the introduction of new products and services. Additionally, the role entails representing the company on various matters before regulators, financial partners, and other external audiences.

Responsibilities:

Handle legal and regulatory matters for the company's Investment Firm in the EU.

Be well-versed in EU financial regulations such as MiFID, MiFIR, IFR, IFD, MAR, and MiCA, with a focus on cross-border implications.

Manage legal and regulatory aspects related to a range of financial instruments, including derivatives, and their requirements.

Lead processes for maintaining Investment Firm licenses and passporting under relevant laws.

Contribute to the authorization process as a crypto asset service provider under MiCA regulation.

Ensure compliance with MiCA requirements and deliver projects within tight deadlines.

Draft, review, and update policies, procedures, terms, and conditions for trading MiFID and MiCA-regulated products.

Engage with regulators such as NCAs, ESMA, and others on behalf of the company.

Review marketing and sales materials for compliance with relevant regulations.

Collaborate with external legal counsel to ensure compliance in operational jurisdictions.

Requirements:

Qualified and licensed lawyer with 5 to 10 years of experience in financial product legal and regulatory matters for MiFID-regulated clients.

Strong knowledge of EU financial laws and a proven track record of maintaining licenses under these frameworks.

Familiarity with industry practices, professional standards, and cross-border financial regulations.

Willingness to adapt to new regulations such as MiCA and collaborate with the legal team on compliance.

Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written.

Strong organizational and project management abilities to balance multiple demands.

Ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.

Availability for calls and meetings across time zones when needed.

Strong problem-solving skills and ability to propose effective solutions.

The Legal Team is responsible for offering legal and regulatory guidance to ensure compliance with local regulations for all products and services provided by the organization. They also work on meeting the needs of the organization's customers. The Legal Team interacts with external regulators and service providers to demonstrate adherence to relevant laws and regulations.

This position will report to the Global Head of Capital Markets, Legal, and will collaborate closely with the Legal Team in the EU. The main focus of this role is to be the Legal Team’s subject matter expert on EU Investment Firms' laws and regulations, and the products offered across the EU. The role involves providing proactive and solution-oriented legal and regulatory advice to diverse stakeholders for the development and launch of products and services in compliance with regulations and customer requirements. The role also entails working across functions to identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks and maximize commercial opportunities related to introducing new products and services. Additionally, representing the organization on various matters before regulators, financial partners, and other external audiences is expected.

Responsibilities

Part of corresponding Legal Team managing legal and regulatory aspects for the Investment Firm located in the EU.

Proficient in multiple regulations, particularly in the EU, including MiFID, MiFIR, IFR, IFD, MAR, and MiCA, and understanding their interactions.

Handling legal and regulatory matters concerning various financial instruments, such as derivatives, and ensuring compliance with associated regulatory requirements.

Leading processes for maintaining the Investment Firm license and passporting under MiFID and relevant laws.

Contributing to the authorization maintenance as a crypto asset service provider under MiCA regulation.

Assisting in ensuring ongoing compliance with MiCA and collaborating across the organization to deliver projects within tight deadlines.

Drafting, reviewing, and updating policies, procedures, terms and conditions, and other rules related to trading regulated products under MiFID.

Aiding in drafting, reviewing, and updating policies, procedures, terms and conditions, and other rules associated with trading MiCA-regulated products.

Leading communications on various topics with regulatory bodies like NCAs, ESMA, and other relevant authorities.

Reviewing marketing materials for compliance with MiFID and MiCA regulations.

Working with external legal counsel to ensure adherence to laws and regulations in operated jurisdictions.

Requirements

Licensed lawyer with 5 to 10 years of experience in financial product legal and regulatory matters, managing issues for MiFID-regulated clients.

Strong knowledge of EU financial laws (MiFID, EMIR, IFR, IFD, MAR) and a proven track record of maintaining licenses under these frameworks.

Understanding of industry practices and professional standards.

Experience implementing finance regulations in the EU and internationally, specifically with the U.S.

Familiarity with MiCA and readiness to collaborate with the legal team on this regulation.

Excellent English communication skills.

Effective organizational and project management skills, capable of managing high volume and competing demands.

Ability to establish and nurture relationships with stakeholders.

Flexibility to engage in calls and meetings across multiple time zones when necessary.

Proficient at problem identification and proposing effective solutions.

The Legal Team is responsible for providing legal and regulatory counsel to ensure compliance with local regulations for products and services at the organization. The Legal Team engages with external entities such as regulators and service providers to showcase adherence to applicable laws and regulations.

This position will report to the Global Head of Capital Markets, Legal and collaborate closely with the Legal Team in the EU. The main focus will be on serving as a subject matter expert on EU Investment Firms' laws and regulations and the associated products across the EU. The Legal Team offers proactive legal guidance to multiple stakeholders to support the development and launch of products and services, ensuring alignment with obligations and customer requirements. There will be involvement in identifying, evaluating, and minimizing legal and regulatory risks related to new offerings while maximizing business prospects. Interaction with regulators, financial partners, and external audiences on various subjects will also be part of the role's responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

Part of the Legal Team overseeing legal and regulatory affairs for the Investment Firm within the EU.

Proficiency in EU regulations like MiFID, MiFIR, IFR/IFD, MAR, and MiCA is crucial for this role.

Emphasis on addressing legal and regulatory matters concerning different financial instruments, including derivatives and their requirements.

Leading processes for maintaining the Investment Firm license and passporting under MiFID and other regulations.

Aiding in ongoing compliance with MiCA, collaborating internally for timely project delivery.

Developing and revising policies, terms, and conditions related to the trading of MiFID and MiCA-regulated products.

Leading communication with NCAs, ESMA, and other regulators.

Reviewing marketing material for compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Liaising with external counsel to ensure legal conformity in operating jurisdictions.

Requirements:

Licensed attorney with 5-10 years of experience in financial product legal and regulatory work for MiFID-regulated clients.

Strong understanding of EU financial law and demonstrated maintenance of licenses under these frameworks.

Knowledge of professional standards and industry norms.

Experience implementing financial rules across the EU and in collaboration with the U.S.

Familiarity with MiCA and willingness to engage with new regulations.

Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.

Proficient in project management, handling high-volume tasks effectively.

Ability to build and nurture stakeholder relationships.

Openness to flexible schedules for calls and meetings across time zones.

Strong problem-solving skills and the capacity to propose effective solutions.