Senior Legal Counsel
About Wintermute
Wintermute operates as a prominent crypto-native algorithmic trading company within the digital asset landscape. Our core services include providing liquidity across multiple cryptocurrency exchanges, offering diverse OTC trading solutions, supporting high-profile blockchain projects, and assisting traditional financial institutions in their transition to the crypto sphere. Additionally, Wintermute Ventures invests in early-stage DeFi projects.
Established in 2017, Wintermute thrives by integrating the technological standards of high-frequency trading firms in traditional markets with the innovative and entrepreneurial culture of tech startups. Committed to the transformative potential of blockchain, we maintain a proactive and long-term outlook, actively contributing to the creation of an innovative and compliant digital asset market.
Role Overview
Wintermute seeks a Senior Legal Counsel with specialized expertise in US regulatory requirements pertinent to the company's operations. The desired candidate possesses a combination of experience in both traditional financial markets and the cryptocurrency industry. This position involves addressing regulatory matters related to various aspects of Wintermute's business, including on-exchange trading, OTC trading (spot and derivatives), and liquidity provision. Responsibilities encompass conducting US regulatory research, monitoring developments in cryptocurrency regulation, overseeing notable litigation cases, managing regulator inquiries, handling legal-commercial negotiations, and contributing to a range of other legal projects as needed.
Key Duties:
- Conduct detailed US regulatory research and provide strategic advice on regulatory implications for Wintermute's business verticals.
- Stay abreast of evolving cryptocurrency regulations and their applicability to Wintermute, including regulatory bodies such as the SEC, CFTC, FINRA, and IRS.
- Monitor significant ongoing litigation and bankruptcy cases in the US as they impact Wintermute and its business relationships.
- Lead regulatory inquiries and information requests from regulators and other external entities.
- Manage specific projects tied to regulatory compliance and commercial agreements, encompassing OTC, liquidity provision, exchange agreements, and more.
- Guide legal-commercial negotiations, draft agreements pertaining to various business lines, and actively engage in other legal initiatives such as commercial disputes, litigation, employment matters, and corporate projects.
Necessary Skills and Experience:
- Possess 5-10 years of legal experience, including practice at a prestigious law firm and in-house counsel roles within financial services, fintech, and crypto sectors.
- Proven ability to excel in fast-paced, dynamic environments while leading complex projects under tight timeframes.
- Thorough understanding of US regulatory frameworks relevant to trading firms, including SEC/Finra and CFTC/NFA rules.
- Familiarity with US state money transmitter laws, federal MSB regulations, and knowledge of regulatory requirements such as the NY Bitlicense Act and CA Digital Financial Assets Law.
- Experience responding to data requests from government and commercial entities and a background in dispute resolution/litigation or US bankruptcy proceedings.
- Strong comprehension of the crypto industry, token governance, blockchain fundamentals, and an eagerness to expand knowledge swiftly.
- Expertise in commercial law related to financial services, including OTC agreements, lending contracts, trading agreements, and more.
- Demonstrated capacity to envision commercial strategies, adapt to new functional domains, and foster cross-functional collaboration.
- Keen interest in algorithmic trading and decentralized finance, paired with a detail-oriented, pragmatic approach to legal and business challenges.
- Proficient in MS Office, with a willingness to learn new tools as required for the role.
Why Join Wintermute
- Opportunity to work at a global leader in innovative trading.
- Engaging projects offering substantial responsibilities and ownership compared to traditional financial settings.
- Supportive, collaborative company culture with a startup atmosphere and a performance-based compensation structure.
Additional Details:
- This is a fully remote position open to candidates authorized to work in the US.
- Preferably seeking candidates on the East Coast, but exceptional applicants from other US regions are also welcomed.