Lead Licensing Counsel

Bybit; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Study Growth Fund

Internal Events

Global Collaboration

Career Advancement

Internal Mobility

Job summary

Bybit is seeking a Licensing and Regulatory Counsel to lead end‑to‑end licensing for new markets globally. You will engage regulators, coordinate with internal teams, and monitor evolving licensing obligations in the crypto space.

The role requires 2–5 years in regulatory law and strong drafting, research, and project management skills. A law degree and English fluency are essential, with international experience a plus.

Qualifications

• Law degree with admission to practice in at least one jurisdiction.
• 2–5 years of regulatory law, licensing or compliance experience in financial services or crypto preferred.
• Experience with license applications or regulatory approvals (VASP, MPI, EMI, broker-dealer or equivalent).
• Understanding global licensing frameworks for virtual asset services and financial institutions.
• Strong legal research, drafting and analytical skills to distil requirements into actionable advice.
• Excellent written and verbal English; cross‑jurisdiction language skills a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end licensing processes for new market entries globally, including applications and regulatory engagement.
• Conduct jurisdictional assessments to evaluate licensing requirements, timelines and feasibility.
• Prepare, draft and coordinate licensing applications, documentation and business plans.
• Liaise with regulators, external counsel and authorities across jurisdictions.
• Monitor global regulatory developments and licensing obligations or opportunities.
• Maintain a global licensing tracker and oversee renewals and ongoing obligations.
• Coordinate with Legal, Compliance, Finance, Operations and Product to gather information and align on licensing needs.
• Support post‑licensing compliance, including monitoring and reporting to regulators.

Skills

Regulatory expertise

Licensing management

Regulatory research

Legal drafting

Project coordination

English communication

Education

Law degree (LLB/JD)

Job description

Established in 2018, Bybit is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges and digital financial platforms, serving over 80 million users across more than 200 countries and regions. Powered by world‑class technology and a user‑first mindset, Bybit delivers a seamless ecosystem across trading, payments, wealth management, custody, institutional services, and Web3 — connecting users to the future of digital finance.

Our core values define how we build. We listen, care and improve to create products and experiences that put users first. Backed by a global team of ambitious builders, problem‑solvers, and innovators, we foster a high‑performance and fast‑moving environment where talent is empowered to drive real impact at the global scale. Supported by 24/7 multilingual customer service and a strong commitment to innovation, we are shaping the future of finance through technology, collaboration, and bold execution.

Today, Bybit is recognized as one of the most trusted and transparent platforms in the digital asset industry, continuing to expand its global presence while building the infrastructure for the next generation of financial services.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the end‑to‑end licensing process for new market entries globally, including application preparation, submission, and regulatory engagement
• Conduct jurisdictional assessments to evaluate licensing requirements, timelines and strategic feasibility for target markets and to support the expansion requirements of the company
• Prepare, draft, and coordinate licensing applications, supporting documentation, business plans, and regulatory questionnaires
• Liaise directly with regulators, external counsel, and government authorities across jurisdictions to advance licensing matters
• Monitor global regulatory developments that may create new licensing obligations or opportunities for the exchange
• Maintain and manage a global licensing tracker covering application status, renewal deadlines, conditions, and ongoing obligations
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (Legal, Compliance, Finance, Operations, Product) to gather information and align on licensing requirements
• Support post‑licensing compliance, including condition monitoring, variation applications, and periodic reporting to regulators (where applicable)
• Prepare internal briefings and status reports on licensing progress for senior leadership
• Build and maintain relationships with external legal advisors across jurisdictions to support licensing activities

Requirements

• Law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent); admission to practice in at least one jurisdiction is preferred
• 2-5 years of experience in regulatory law, licensing, or compliance — with meaningful exposure to financial services, fintech, or cryptocurrency (preference)
• Demonstrated experience with license applications or regulatory approvals (e.g., VASP, MPI, EMI, broker‑dealer, or equivalent authorisations)
• Understanding of global licensing frameworks for virtual asset service providers and/or financial institutions
• Strong legal research, drafting, and analytical skills with the ability to distil complex regulatory requirements into actionable advice
• Excellent project management skills — ability to manage multiple licensing workstreams across jurisdictions simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication in English; additional languages relevant to target jurisdictions are a plus
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, decentralised, and globally distributed team
• Collaborative mindset and a good team player with the ability to work closely with internal teams as well as independently
• Fast learner, able to hit the ground running. takes ownership of projects, has pride in the work

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with cryptocurrency or digital asset licensing preferred but not an absolute must (VASP registrations, MAS MPI, VARA licences, EU MiCA authorisations, ADGM licences etc.)
• Familiarity with key licensing regimes in APAC, MENA, Europe, or Latin America
• Experience working with regulators across multiple jurisdictions concurrently
• Understanding of AML/CFT requirements as they relate to licensing conditions and ongoing obligations
• Prior in‑house experience at a crypto exchange, fintech, or global financial services firm would be seen favourably but candidates with law firm experience will not be discounted

Why Join Us

At Bybit, we are committed to fostering a supportive and enriching work environment.

Our benefits include:

• Study Growth Fund: We support your professional development and continuous learning.
• Internal Events: Participate in regular team‑building activities, workshops, and events designed to promote collaboration and innovation.
• Global Collaboration: Be part of a diverse, international team, working alongside colleagues from around the world.
• Career Advancement: Access opportunities for growth and advancement within a rapidly expanding global company.
• Internal Mobility: Grow with us: Your long‑term development is important to us. We offer internal job opportunities to help build your career path.