Senior Counsel

Summary

Join Wintermute, a leading global player in digital asset markets, as a US financial markets regulatory lawyer. This role requires a strong US securities law background and traditional financial markets experience. You will advise on trading of crypto ETFs/ETPs and tokenized securities, liaise with internal and external stakeholders, and engage with US regulators. Responsibilities include leading the business on US financial markets regulations, monitoring cross-border implications, developing regulatory strategy for new products, and coordinating responses to regulatory inquiries. The position offers a fully remote work option, with a preference for candidates based in New York or the East Coast.

Requirements

• 5-10 years (US-qualified) experience as a practising financial markets regulatory lawyer gained in a top-tier US law firm
• Excellent knowledge of US securities laws, SEC / FINRA regulations and money transmission laws as it applies to proprietary trading firms as well as demonstrable experience dealing with regulatory agencies such as the SEC and FINRA
• Experience working in a high-performance, dynamic and high-growth environment and leading complex regulatory projects, including considering the need for regulatory licences, preparation of regulatory licence applications and implementation of compliance and operational policies under tight deadlines, with input from internal stakeholders and external counsels
• Ability to work closely with different stakeholders across time zones to roll out solutions firm-wide to drive the firm’s business objectives whilst being in compliance with its risk management policies and regulatory and compliance requirements
• An inherent sense of self-motivation to take control and deliver on projects by being hands-on and identifying the right external resources to solve specific questions within a project
• A healthy dose of common sense, the ability to be nimble and apply legal concepts to problem-solve in a US and non-US context, and willingness to adapt and learn quickly when faced with novel issues
• Proven track record of working across functions and successfully launching regulated financial products

Responsibilities

• Lead and advise the business on issues relating to US financial markets regulations, including securities law issues, as well as develop and implement solutions aligned with Wintermute’s business objectives and its global regulatory and compliance strategy
• Monitor and assess the cross-border implications of the evolving financial markets regulatory landscape in the US and outside the US as it applies to Wintermute, including emerging proposals from the legislature and the regulators such as the SEC, CFTC, FINRA and IRS
• Lead on Wintermute’s digital assets policy with leading crypto associations, federal and state regulators, and analyse, consider and comment on proposed bills as they are promulgated
• Develop regulatory and operational strategy for new products in multiple jurisdictions in coordination with the business and product teams
• Work independently and collaborate with internal stakeholders and external counsels to develop and maintain appropriate legal contracts and policies as suited for each business line
• Coordinate and lead Wintermute’s response to regulatory inquiries, examinations or investigations emanating from the US as well as other cross-border regulatory matters as may be required
• Other legal projects: get involved in a wide range of legal matters depending on skills, preferences and company needs, including trading negotiations, commercial disputes, employment, and corporate projects

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional in-house experience is preferred but not mandatory
• A strong grasp of contractual and commercial issues relevant to proprietary trading firms is strongly preferred (for e.g. experience with drafting and negotiating trading agreements and lending agreements)
• Cross-border regulatory experience, in particular the UK and Singapore and / or prior in-house work experience in a regulated environment in the digital assets industry

Benefits

• Working at one of the most innovative trading firms globally
• Engaging projects offering accelerated responsibilities and ownership compared to traditional finance environments
• A vibrant working culture with frequent team meals, holiday celebrations, gaming events, and company-wide outings, including our annual Wintermute weekend getaway
• A Wintermute-inspired office in central London, featuring an array of amenities such as table tennis and foosball, personalized desk configurations, a cozy team breakout area with games and free food
• Great company culture: informal, non-hierarchical, ambitious, highly professional with a startup vibe, collaborative and entrepreneurial
• A performance-based compensation with a significant earning potential alongside standard perks like pension and private Health insurance
• Fully remote position