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In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. For more information on Bullish, please visit https://bullish.com . CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence.
Reports to:
Vice President, Compliance
Position Overview
This is a senior leadership role with unique breadth: serving as the Chief Compliance Officer for our US spot trading entity - Bullish US Operations, LLC, our expanding derivatives business, and our tokenized securities endeavors. The successful candidate will own the full US compliance program across digital-asset exchange, futures/derivatives, and securities business lines — and will be a critical voice in shaping how Bullish grows its US regulated footprint.
This role is ideal for a compliance leader who has operated at the intersection of CFTC/NFA and SEC/FINRA regulation and is energized by the challenge of building and scaling compliance infrastructure in a dynamic digital-asset environment.
Responsibilities:
Bullish US Operations, LLC (BUSO)
- Maintain and enhance BUSO's compliance program, policies, and procedures in accordance with applicable federal and state law.
- Oversee AML/BSA/OFAC programs, including KYC onboarding, transaction monitoring, and SAR filing obligations.
- Serve as primary compliance liaison with state and federal regulators with jurisdiction over BUSO's digital-asset exchange activities.
- Manage regulatory examinations, inquiries, and enforcement matters relating to BUSO.
US Broker-Dealer
- Build and lead the broker-dealer compliance program from the ground up, including development of WSPs, supervisory controls, and FINRA-required procedures.
- Serve as registered Chief Compliance Officer (Series 14 or equivalent) with FINRA.
- Manage FINRA examinations, 8210 requests, and regulatory inquiries.
- Ensure compliance with SEC and FINRA rules applicable to digital-asset securities activities, including Reg BI, AML, and recordkeeping.
- Work closely with legal counsel on broker-dealer licensing, disclosure, and product approval processes.
Derivatives Trading
- Establish and administer a CFTC- and NFA-compliant compliance program, including written supervisory procedures (WSPs), training, and annual review obligations.
- Oversee NFA registration requirements, including associated persons (APs) registration and branch office supervision.
- Supervise the application of surveillance and monitoring of trading and order activity as per the FCMs’ provisions.
- Serve as NFA Compliance Liaison and DSRO contact; manage NFA audits and routine examinations.
- Monitor evolving CFTC rulemaking (including digital-asset derivatives guidance) and update FCM compliance framework accordingly.
- Oversee customer fund segregation compliance and FCM financial condition reporting.
Cross-Entity & Leadership Responsibilities
- Report directly to the Global Head of Compliance; provide regular compliance reporting to senior management and the Board.
- Build, manage, and mentor a high-performing US compliance team.
- Develop and deliver compliance training programs tailored to US regulated business lines.
- Collaborate with global compliance leads, legal, technology, and business teams to ensure a coordinated enterprise-wide compliance posture.
- Lead market surveillance oversight for US regulated venues.
- Identify and manage regulatory risk arising from new products, markets, and business initiatives.
Experience & Qualifications:
- 12+ years of progressive compliance experience in US financial services, with meaningful responsibility in a senior or CCO-level role.
- Deep knowledge of SEC and FINRA rules applicable to broker-dealers, including supervisory obligations, AML requirements, and registration/licensing frameworks.
- Working knowledge of CFTC and NFA requirements applicable to FCMs, including NFA registration rules, customer protection requirements, and CFTC regulations.
- Experience managing regulatory examinations and enforcement inquiries with CFTC, NFA, SEC, FINRA, or FinCEN.
- Strong understanding of AML/BSA obligations and FinCEN regulatory requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to build and lead compliance teams and programs from the ground up.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to engage credibly with regulators, senior management, and the Board.
- J.D. or bachelor's degree in law, finance, business, or a related field.
- Eligibility and willingness to obtain FINRA Series 7, 14 and 24 licenses and NFA Series 3 or other relevant NFA registration.
Preferred:
- Experience in or deep familiarity with digital-asset or cryptocurrency exchange compliance.
- Prior experience at or with a Broker-Dealer, FCM or similar institution
- Active NFA Series 3 and/or FINRA Series 7, 14, 24 licenses.
- Experience supporting initial registration or licensing applications with the CFTC, NFA, SEC, or FINRA.
- Familiarity with CFTC-regulated digital-asset derivatives guidance and the evolving US crypto regulatory landscape.
Bullish US LLC & CoinDesk Inc. are committed to offering competitive compensation and benefits. The anticipated base salary for this position is $225,000 - $265,000 + discretionary annual target bonus + performance incentives/benefits. Offered salary will be reflective of job related knowledge, skills and commensurate experience.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
In an effort to attract, retain, develop and promote the most qualified individuals, CoinDesk is committed to treating all applicants and employees in a nondiscriminatory manner with respect to the terms and conditions of employment, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status/service, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by applicable law. This mandate governs all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, promotion, training, education, social and recreation programs, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits.
ACCOMMODATION
CoinDesk is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the application process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@coindesk.comand let us know the nature of your request.
