Job Description

About Wintermute

Wintermute is one of the largest crypto-native algorithmic trading companies in digital assets. We provide liquidity across most cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms, offer a broad range of OTC trading solutions, and support high-profile blockchain projects and traditional financial institutions entering the crypto space. Wintermute Ventures also invests in early-stage DeFi projects. Founded in 2017, Wintermute has successfully navigated industry cycles, combining the technology standards of high-frequency trading firms in traditional markets with the innovative and entrepreneurial culture of technology startups. For us, digital assets are not just another asset class; we believe in the innovative potential of blockchain and its fundamental innovations. We are committed to a leadership position in the innovative and compliant market.

Nature of the Role

We are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel who will focus on US regulatory matters relevant to Wintermute’s business. The ideal candidate will have a combination of traditional financial markets experience and cryptocurrency industry experience. This role will primarily concentrate on regulatory topics affecting various Wintermute business lines, such as on-exchange trading, OTC trading (spot and derivatives), and liquidity provisioning. You'll have the opportunity to work on a diverse set of regulatory topics, along with commercial disputes and litigation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead US regulatory research and advise the business on the implications for Wintermute’s business lines.
• Monitor evolving cryptocurrency regulations (SEC, CFTC, FINRA, IRS, etc.) as they apply to Wintermute.
• Track important ongoing litigation and bankruptcy cases in the US that may impact Wintermute’s counterparties.
• Lead and coordinate inquiries or information requests from regulators or other third parties.
• Manage specific projects related to the above topics as required.
• Lead legal-commercial negotiations and implement/advice on any regulatory changes to template documentation: Draft and negotiate agreements in relation to our business lines (OTC, liquidity provision, exchange agreements, trading agreements, software agreements, and others).
• Advise, implement, and operationalize any US legal advice or regulatory developments, ensuring alignment with general and global business objectives.
• Collaborate with other business and legal stakeholders and assist on other non-US regulatory matters as may be required.
• Engage in a wide range of legal topics, including commercial disputes, litigation, employment, and corporate projects.

Hard Skills Requirements

• 5-10 years of experience practicing law (qualified), ideally a mix of top-tier law firm and in-house counsel experience specializing in financial services, fintech, and crypto.
• Experience in a dynamic, high-performance, and high-growth environment, leading complex projects from problem-solving to completion under tight deadlines.
• Self-motivated and hands-on approach; not relying solely on outside counsel or other parties.
• Detailed knowledge of US regulations as they apply to trading firms, including SEC/FINRA and CFTC/NFA rules, money transmission laws, and other regulations relevant to proprietary trading crypto firms in the US and abroad.
• Strong experience in dispute resolution/litigation and/or US bankruptcy is preferred.
• Ability to apply legal concepts nimbly to problem-solve in US and international contexts, especially on novel issues.
• Good understanding of the crypto industry and a willingness to learn quickly. Key areas include main players, types of tokens, token governance, DAOs, and blockchain foundations.
• Strong grasp of commercial law in financial services, such as OTC agreements (spot, derivatives, and structured products), lending agreements, financial services contracts, trading agreements, etc.
• Proven ability to see the bigger picture and quickly understand new functional areas with a cross-functional approach.
• Strong interest and curiosity in algorithmic trading and decentralized finance.
• Detail-oriented with a commercial, hands-on attitude to legal and business problems.
• Experience with MS Office and willingness to quickly learn new tools as required (e.g., Slack, Google Suite, CRM, CLM like Ironclad and/or Spotdraft).

Benefits

• Work at one of the most innovative trading firms globally.
• Engage in projects that offer accelerated responsibilities and ownership, unlike traditional finance environments.
• Enjoy a great company culture: informal, non-hierarchical, ambitious, highly professional with a startup vibe, collaborative, and entrepreneurial.
• Performance-based compensation with significant earning potential.

Note: This is a fully remote position, and the successful candidate must be eligible to work in the US. While we prefer candidates based on the East Coast or in the UK, we are open to exceptional candidates from other regions in the US.