Legal Counsel

Summary

Join Xapo Bank as Legal Counsel and become a core legal partner to our banking and fund activities, focusing on the governance, structuring, and legal oversight of the Xapo Fund. Ensure robust compliance and governance while leveraging expertise in financial market structures and derivatives to support our investment strategy. Lead legal negotiations, ensure robust fund compliance, and partner with our external fund manager. This unique opportunity allows you to work at the intersection of banking, crypto, and investment management, advising on cutting-edge financial products while ensuring world-class legal and regulatory standards. The position is full-time and 100% remote, offering the chance to work from anywhere globally. Xapo Bank is a fully distributed team working remotely from 40+ countries.

Requirements

• Experience: 5+ years PQE as a qualified lawyer, with strong experience in financial services, investment funds, fintech or crypto
• Qualification: UK qualified solicitor or equivalent with experience in the United Kingdom, Gibraltar or Europe
• Legal Expertise: Solid understanding of investment fund documentation, investment regulations, derivatives documentation and DLT frameworks
• Analytical Skills: Excellent research, drafting, and contract negotiation skills
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Able to navigate fast-paced environments and partner across legal, risk, product, and external firms
• Attention to Detail: High level of precision, particularly when it comes to member-facing materials and regulatory compliance
• Autonomy & Initiative: Comfortable working independently on high-impact projects with a solutions-oriented mindset
• A dedicated workspace
• A reliable internet connection with the fastest speed possible in your area
• Devices and other essential equipment that meet minimal technical specifications
• Alignment with Our Values and the Xapo Values-Driven Leadership principles

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiation and execution of legal agreements for fund investments, including structured finance transactions, derivatives, lending agreements and other strategic opportunities aligned with the Xapo Fund’s strategy
• Support legal assessment of new fund investment opportunities, particularly those involving complex financial instruments, ensuring compliance with relevant banking, investment and derivatives regulations
• Act as the legal point of contact between Xapo and the Xapo Fund’s external investment manager, Hilbert Capital, ensuring legal integrity in our partnership and communications
• Support the smooth operation and evolution of the Xapo Fund’s legal architecture in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, with a keen focus on best practices in traditional financial market operations
• Review, draft, and advise on key fund documentation, including constitutional documents, offering memoranda, investment management agreements, and investor contracts
• Ensure fund structures and operations remain aligned with legal, regulatory, and governance expectations, including derivatives-related disclosures and compliance
• Collaborate with Product and Compliance teams to ensure clarity, accuracy, and compliance in customer-facing fund materials (e.g. investor updates, risk disclosures, marketing collateral, terms & conditions), especially when pertaining to structured and derivative product offerings
• Provide commercial legal advice across Xapo’s fintech and banking operations, particularly in areas of traditional financial regulation, derivatives, payments, crypto, and digital assets
• Support general legal operations including vendor contracts, commercial negotiations, and cross-functional initiatives
• Monitor evolving regulatory landscapes (especially Gibraltar, United Kingdom and European frameworks) to ensure Xapo’s products remain compliant and future-fit

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to traditional banking, financial market structuring, and derivatives transactions is highly desirable
• Previous in-house counsel experience preferred

Benefits

• Shape the Future: Improve lives through cutting-edge technology, work 100% remotely from anywhere in the world
• Great work-life balance: Build amazing things with a balance of autonomy and collaborative teamwork. Set your own work schedule and make use of a flexible PTO plan when you need to recharge
• Expect Excellence: Collaborate, learn, and grow with a high-performance team. Learn how you learn best - from books to conferences, you’ll get a yearly budget for your individual learning and development goals