Senior Counsel UK
About Wintermute
Wintermute is a esteemed technology corporation and a key player in the digital asset markets on a global scale. Wintermute is a distinguished crypto-native algorithmic trading organization that offers liquidity across prominent exchanges and trading platforms. The OTC desk provides a wide array of spot and derivatives products, catering to over 2,000 counterparties including both crypto natives and traditional financial institutions. Actively involved in the development of the blockchain ecosystem, Wintermute is a major participant in DeFi and engages in investments, partnerships, and incubations.
Wintermute, established in 2017 by leaders in the trading industry, has encountered and adeptly navigated numerous crypto industry cycles. The culture at Wintermute combines the high technological standards of high-frequency trading firms in traditional markets with the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of technology start-ups.
Role Overview:
We are in pursuit of individuals with a robust background in financial services regulations and expertise in cross-border dealings in the UK, US, and EU. The ideal candidate will leverage their experience from traditional financial markets to contribute to Wintermute's digital asset trading operations, encompassing proprietary trading and liquidity provision for spot crypto assets, derivatives, and tokenized financial instruments. This role offers an opportunity to steer Wintermute's global regulatory strategy and spearhead policy dialogues with regulators in the UK, US, and EU, in addition to managing commercial trading negotiations. This position necessitates close collaboration with our regulatory, business, and product teams across the globe.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Strategic input and direction on global regulatory affairs focusing on pertinent financial services regulations in the UK, US, and EU.
- Guidance on regulatory license applications and cooperation with stakeholders to ensure practical and operational adherence to regulatory obligations.
- Leading efforts to mitigate cross-border regulatory and litigation risks, supporting compliance functions with regulatory inquiries, and engaging external counsel as needed.
- Drafting and advising on a range of trading and commercial agreements related to various business lines.
- Collaboration with business and control functions to ensure trading agreement templates are compliant and aligned with regulations and global regulatory positions.
- Legal analysis and research on emerging legal issues related to new markets or products, offering compliant but commercially viable legal solutions.
- Monitoring and evaluating implications of evolving global financial markets regulatory landscape and engaging with regulators and policymakers.
Required Skills:
- 7-10 years of experience as a financial markets regulatory lawyer at a top-tier US/UK law firm.
- Extensive background in advising on cross-border financial services regulatory matters and experience interacting with regulatory agencies like FCA, ESMA, and SEC.
- Proficient in UK FSMA, EU MiFiD or similar traditional finance and digital asset regulatory frameworks.
- Ability to respond to regulatory inquiries, manage regulatory risks, and advise on commercial matters.
- Proactive and hands-on approach to project management and issue resolution.
Preferred Experience:
- Prior in-house experience in the digital assets industry.
- Familiarity with Singapore PSA and SFA regulations.
- Understanding of contractual and commercial issues related to proprietary trading firms.
Benefits of Joining our Team:
- Opportunity to work with one of the foremost algorithmic trading firms globally.
- Engaging projects offering accelerated responsibilities and ownership.
- Vibrant working culture with various team-building activities.
- Unique office setup in central London with diverse amenities.
- Entrepreneurial and collaborative company culture.
- Performance-based compensation with attractive benefits.
