Senior Compliance & MLRO - Crypto Regulation

Apex Group Ltd; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Group Ltd in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is seeking a Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CO/MLRO) to lead regulatory compliance for digital asset activities.

The role covers licensing, AML/CFT, governance, and liaison with FSRA, DFSA, and VARA, ensuring post-authorization supervision and ongoing risk management.

You will design frameworks, supervise reporting, and guide the organization through audits and regulatory inquiries, contributing to a robust compliance culture.

Qualifications

• University degree in law, compliance, finance, risk management, or a related discipline.
• Relevant compliance and regulatory experience, with strong exposure to virtual assets, digital assets, or crypto exchange businesses.
• Prior experience as an Approved Person, Compliance Officer, MLRO, or Head of Compliance in a regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of FSRA and DFSA regulatory experience is highly desirable.
• Hands-on experience with AML/KYC frameworks. Ability to operate independently with sound judgment, seniority, integrity, and regulatory credibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage end‑to‑end licensing, authorization, and variation of permission applications with the FSRA, DFSA, and VARA for digital asset, virtual asset, and crypto exchange activities.
• Act as the primary regulatory liaison for all license applications, regulatory submissions, and post‑authorization supervisory engagements.
• Prepare and oversee regulatory business plans, compliance frameworks, AML/CTF frameworks, governance documents, and Approved Person submissions required for authorization.
• Coordinate responses to regulatory queries, information requests, thematic reviews, and inspections conducted by FSRA, DFSA, or VARA.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with license conditions, regulatory commitments, and supervisory action plans.
• Serve as the principal point of contact with the FSRA and DFSA for all compliance matters.
• Design, implement, and maintain compliance frameworks tailored to virtual assets, digital assets, and crypto exchange operations.
• Ensure compliance across products including token listings, spot trading, wallets, custody solutions, staking, and stablecoins.
• Monitor regulatory developments impacting digital assets (FSRA, DFSA, VARA awareness) and ensure timely policy updates.
• Develop and execute a risk‑based Compliance Monitoring Programme and annual compliance plan.
• Oversee all regulatory filings, notifications, approvals, and periodic reporting obligations.
• Provide regular compliance reporting to the Senior Executive Officer (SEO), Governing Body, and Board committees.
• Act as the MLRO and primary point of contact with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and competent authorities.
• Establish, implement, and maintain AML/CFT, sanctions, and counter‑proliferation financing frameworks aligned with FSRA and DFSA AML Rulebooks.
• Oversee crypto‑specific AML controls including blockchain analytics and transaction monitoring tools.
• Ensure compliance with Travel Rule requirements, ongoing monitoring obligations, and STR/SAR reporting.
• Conduct enterprise‑wide AML and financial crime risk assessments covering custody risks, smart contract risks, cross‑border flows, and fraud typologies.
• Deliver AML/CFT training to staff, senior management, and Board members.
• Advise the Board and senior management on regulatory risks and compliance matters. Identify, assess, and mitigate regulatory, operational, and financial crime risks.
• Coordinate regulatory audits, inspections, and independent reviews, managing remediation actions to closure.
• Maintain regulatory registers including breaches, complaints, training records, regulatory correspondence, and suspicious transactions.
• Embed compliance‑by‑design principles within technology, product development, and blockchain integrations.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

AML/CFT oversight

Governance & reporting

License application management

Education

University degree in law

Regulatory/compliance background

Job description

Apex Group Ltd in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is seeking a Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (CO/MLRO) to lead regulatory compliance for digital asset activities.

The role covers licensing, AML/CFT, governance, and liaison with FSRA, DFSA, and VARA, ensuring post-authorization supervision and ongoing risk management.

You will design frameworks, supervise reporting, and guide the organization through audits and regulatory inquiries, contributing to a robust compliance culture.