Web3 Legal and Compliance Manager

Web3 Legal and Compliance Manager3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Obinex is a Pre-Seed stage Startup on a mission to develop a simple ecosystem to facilitate the adoption of the centralized economy in the decentralized space and give way to a more secure centralization. As we are in a very early stage, the equity offering is the only part of the conversation until we are funded. This will be subject to a probationary and vesting period.What will you do?As the Head of Legal & Compliance in a Fin Tech Pre-Seed startup, you will oversee all legal and regulatory matters, ensuring compliance with UAE, South America and African Virtual Asset Service Providers licensing frameworks and global Fin Tech & Web3 regulations. You will manage licensing processes, regulatory relationships, contract negotiations, and legal risk mitigation while providing strategic legal guidance to the team. Your role is critical in navigating the fast-evolving landscape of digital assets, financial services, and blockchain technologies.Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to UAE, Latin America and African regulations, including, among others: VARA, ADGM, DIFC…, and compliance with KYC/AML, securities laws, and data privacy frameworks.Virtual Asset Service Providers Licensing: Lead the application and compliance process for obtaining Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licenses in the UAE, Latin America and Africa, ensuring alignment with local and global crypto regulations.Financial & Crypto Licensing: Manage the legal aspects of securing financial, payments, and blockchain-related licenses across multiple jurisdictions.Compliance Framework Development: Establish and oversee internal compliance policies, AML programs, and risk controls for financial and virtual asset operations.Contract Drafting & Negotiation: Draft, review, and negotiate legal agreements, including investment contracts, partnerships, vendor agreements, and employment terms.Tokenomics & Smart Contract Legal Review: Advise on the legal aspects of token design, issuance, and smart contracts to ensure regulatory compliance.Corporate Governance: Define the company's legal structure, oversee governance practices, and manage board-related legal matters.Risk Management: Identify and mitigate legal and regulatory risks associated with crypto, De Fi, and fintech products.Fundraising & Securities Compliance: Provide legal support for investment rounds, reviewing term sheets, and ensuring compliance with securities laws for tokenized and traditional fundraising (e.g., SAFT, STOs, equity rounds).IP & Technology Protection: Oversee trademark, patent, and software protection strategies, particularly for blockchain-related innovations.Regulatory Liaison & Stakeholder Communication: Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies, compliance auditors, and external legal counsel.Global Expansion Compliance: Provide legal guidance on cross-border fintech and crypto regulations, ensuring compliance as the company expands into new markets.What will you bring?UAE Virtual Asset Licensing Expertise: Strong knowledge of VARA (Dubai), ADGM, and DIFC regulatory frameworks for virtual asset service providers (VASPs).Regulatory Compliance Knowledge: Expertise in KYC/AML, FATF Travel Rule, GDPR, Mi CA, and other global regulatory requirements for digital assets.Licensing & Financial Regulation Experience: Proven track record in obtaining and maintaining crypto, payments, and financial licenses.Corporate & Governance Law: Ability to establish legal entity structures, manage corporate governance, and advise on board matters in a startup environment.Contract & Negotiation Skills: Extensive experience in drafting and negotiating agreements with investors, partners, and vendors.Fundraising & Securities Law Proficiency: Deep understanding of token issuance, securities regulations, and fundraising structures in Web3 and fintech.Risk & Compliance Leadership: Ability to design and implement compliance programs for financial and blockchain-related products.Startup & High-Growth Experience: Familiarity with the fast-paced, dynamic nature of early-stage fintech and crypto startups.Regulator & Stakeholder Management: Strong communication skills to engage with regulatory authorities, investors, and legal partners.Global Regulatory Awareness: Understanding of international fintech, crypto, and Web3 compliance landscapes.This role is ideal for a highly skilled legal and compliance professional who can navigate the complexities of Fin Tech, blockchain, and digital asset regulations, particularly in the UAE and other key global markets.What will you get?Early-stage opportunity – be a founding lawyer and play a key role in shaping a Web3 startup from the ground up.Competitive salary + equity – we reward impact and technical excellence.Remote-first culture – work from anywhere, with options for in-person meetups.Deep technical challenges – build a high-frequency exchange and a blockchain from scratch.Growth & leadership opportunities – as we scale, your role and responsibilities will evolve.Seniority level Seniority level Director Employment type Employment type Full-time Job function Job function Legal Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Obinex by 2x Get notified about new Legal Compliance Manager jobs in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates.We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. 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