Position OverviewThe Head of Legal and Compliance will serve as the legal advisor to the organization, overseeing all legal and compliance matters and managing the legal team. This individual will work closely with the executive leadership team to guide the company through the evolving regulatory landscape of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and decentralized finance (DeFi). The role requires deep legal expertise, particularly in blockchain-related regulations, equity administration, and corporate governance, while also balancing the need for pragmatic, business-focused solutions that can scale in a fast-paced, innovative environment.Candidates in New York will be prioritized, as this person will be working from our NYC office on a hybrid basis.Your Impact
- Legal Strategy & Leadership: Provide proactive legal counsel to the executive team on all matters related to the company's operations, balancing legal risk with practical business objectives.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant local, national, and international laws, particularly those related to blockchain technology, digital assets, tokenization, securities law, and financial regulations. Apply deep regulatory knowledge pragmatically to foster innovation while maintaining compliance.
- Contract Management: Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of contracts, including partnership agreements, licensing, SaaS, vendor agreements, and token offerings, providing solutions that protect the company while allowing business goals to advance.
- Risk Management: Develop and implement legal risk management strategies, balancing legal safeguards with operational flexibility, especially in using smart contracts and blockchain technologies.
- Corporate Governance & Equity Administration: Oversee corporate governance policies and provide guidance on equity-related matters, including cap table management, employee stock plans, and legal compliance for equity issuance and grants, ensuring both legal precision and practical alignment with business needs.
- Litigation Management: Manage and coordinate any litigation, disputes, or legal claims involving the company, focusing on minimizing potential liabilities while maintaining a practical, business-oriented approach.
- Data Privacy & Security: Provide guidance on data privacy laws, GDPR, and cybersecurity concerns, offering solutions that balance legal requirements with the operational realities of decentralized networks.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate closely with finance, HR, and compliance teams on equity administration, and with product development to anticipate and solve complex legal issues. Help bridge the gap between technical innovation and legal constraints with business-minded solutions.
- External Representation: Represent the company in legal proceedings, with regulatory authorities, and in negotiations with external parties, always seeking to align legal strategy with the company's broader business objectives.
Role Requirements
- Ability to balance deep legal expertise with pragmatic, business-focused solutions.
- 10+ years of legal experience, with a strong background in technology, blockchain, cryptocurrency, or fintech.
- Experience in commercial contract matters with large institutions as the counterparties.
- Experience in equity administration, including stock options, RSUs, and employee ownership structures.
- Experience working in a fast-paced startup or technology-driven environment.
- Familiarity with the regulatory framework governing blockchain technologies, including but not limited to FinCEN, SEC, CFTC, and global regulatory bodies.
- Strong negotiation and drafting skills.
- Exceptional communication skills and the ability to explain complex legal issues to non-legal stakeholders.
- Ability to develop and implement risk management strategies that support both legal safeguards and business flexibility.
- Business acumen and strategic problem-solving capabilities.
Nice-To-Have Skills
- In-depth knowledge of blockchain technology and its legal ramifications.
- Experience with securities law, including the legal implications of token offerings and equity grants.
US Salary Range: $240,000 - $300,000 Salary disclaimer: Salary ranges are based on role, level, and location. The range shown reflects the target minimum and maximum for the role across all U.S. locations. Actual pay is determined by location, skills, and relevant experience.About Us:We Power the Blockchain economy.Blockdaemon powers the blockchain economy with its suite of industry-leadinginfrastructure solutions. We are a globally established, ISO-27001 certified partner with extensive protocol coverage, offering technical depth, industry-leading SLAs, 70+ global points of presence through 10+ cloud and bare metal providers, and 24/7 support for an unmatched institutional-grade experience. We provide integrated business solutions to exchanges, custodians, crypto platforms, financial institutions, and developers using our end-to-end suite of blockchain tools, including dedicated nodes, APIs, staking, liquid staking, MPC tech, and more. Blockdaemon provides its customers with the confidence to quickly and easily scale without compromising security or compliance.We are a globally distributed team.Blockdaemon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.