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We are seeking an experienced compliance leader to serve as Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for Coinbase's Abu Dhabi-based subsidiary. This is a founding role within our Compliance organization: you will build the AML/CTF/PF/Sanctions compliance program in a high-growth market and directly shape our regulatory strategy with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), balancing compliance with innovation. You will own all aspects of the entity's Anti-Money Laundering program, manage its relationship with the FSRA for AML/CTF purposes, and advise business and product teams on local requirements. The role is supported by Coinbase's global compliance infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
- Own identification of AML/CTF/PF and Sanctions requirements applicable to the ADGM entity, maintain policies and procedures as regulatory and business requirements evolve, and ensure ongoing compliance.
- Monitor FSRA and UAE regulatory developments and lead implementation of necessary compliance changes with internal stakeholders.
- Provide regular updates to senior management and the entity's Board on the AML/CTF/PF/Sanctions program, escalating incidents and material issues promptly, and drive AML/CTF/PF training for local employees and Board members.
- Lead day-to-day regulatory communications with the FSRA, including notifications and comment letters, and oversee AML/CTF/PF risk assessments to confirm the adequacy of systems and controls.
- Own timely remediation of findings from internal audit, regulatory exams, and self-identified issues.
- Partner with Compliance and Product stakeholders to embed compliance into new products and market expansions, and with global teams to keep the AML/CTF/PF control environment consistent and integrated.
Required Skills and Experience
- 5+ years of AML/CTF/PF compliance experience, including senior leadership roles.
- First-hand knowledge of UAE and Abu Dhabi financial services and AML regulations, including locally required regulatory exams and direct experience liaising with the FSRA or a comparable regulator.
- Track record of independently managing day-to-day compliance program operations, including regulatory audits and examinations.
- Demonstrated success building a compliance program from the ground up, including developing and administering internal controls in partnership with remote, global teams and senior management across business functions.
- Demonstrated experience engaging directly with regulators, vendors, and cross-functional internal stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions; cryptocurrency or fintech experience preferred.
- Utilizes generative AI responsibly, maintaining human oversight to deliver business-ready outputs and drive measurable improvements in workflow efficiency, cost, and quality.
P78275
Pay Transparency Notice: The target annual base salary for this position can range as detailed below. Total compensation may also include equity and bonus eligibility and benefits (including medical, dental, and vision).
Annual base salary range (excluding equity and bonus)
510,000 د.إ - 510,000 د.إ AED
- Application Limit: Candidates may submit a maximum of 3 applications within a 6-month period.
Applicants with criminal histories will be considered consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
- Accommodations: If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation, email us your request and contact info at accommodations[at]coinbase.com..
- Data Privacy & Arbitration: By submitting your application, you agree to our. US applicants: By submitting your application, you agree to Arbitration of Disputes.
About Coinbase
Coinbase, founded in 2012 by Brian Armstrong and Fred Ehrsam in San Francisco, is the largest US-listed crypto exchange (NASDAQ: COIN) with 110M+ verified users and $300B+ quarterly traded volume. Products span retail, Advanced Trade, Wallet self-custody, Base L2 and institutional prime. Public since 2021, Coinbase drives US policy engagement and proof-of-reserves standards. The bar is high for security thinking, regulatory judgment and shipping consumer-grade crypto products. As the premier US-listed digital asset platform, Coinbase sets industry standards for security architecture, regulatory engagement, and developer-first Web3 ecosystem scaling. Coinbase recruits across engineering, risk compliance, product design, and business development to expand compliant Web3 financial services.