Counsel (Institutional Legal)

Coinbase; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 129,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cryptocurrency firm in the UK seeks a qualified attorney with at least 7 years' experience in financial services. The role involves independently leading projects in derivatives and digital currency compliance, providing solutions-oriented legal advice, and guiding cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate should have expertise in UK and EU regulations and a strong understanding of blockchain technology. This position offers a competitive salary between £129,240 and £143,600, along with equity and benefits.

Benefits

Bonus eligibility

Equity eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of experience in a financial services institution or law firm.
• Interest in and experience with digital currency and blockchain.
• Experience working with product teams on financial products.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects to launch products in derivatives and financing.
• Provide regulatory advice on bespoke high-profile agreements.
• Drive cross-functional alignment to solve problems and launch products.

Skills

Qualified attorney in England and Wales

Digital currency and blockchain technology

Experience in financial services

Leading cross-functional teams

UK and EU regulatory expertise

Strong analytical skills

Business judgement and pragmatism

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Independently lead projects to launch cutting edge products for a variety of global derivatives and financing initiatives. Provide practical and actionable advice on nuanced, novel legal issues and risks, complex agreement structures and company policies in a risk-tolerant and compliance-oriented environment.
• Lead structuring and regulatory advice in the context of bespoke, high-profile agreements with strategic partners and sophisticated counterparties in the finance, derivatives and digital currency space.
• Help shape and advise on cutting edge digital currency and blockchain technology regulatory issues, particularly with respect to derivatives, leveraged and structured transactions and complex margin lending arrangements in the UK, EU, Middle East and elsewhere.
• Effectively and independently lead complex and global cross‑functional efforts, driving and ensuring cross‑functional alignment with other stakeholders (Institutional Sales, Business Development, Product/Engineering, Finance/Tax, Compliance) to solve problems, build partnerships, and ship products to market.
• Apply a solutions‑oriented approach to problems raised by the business as they plan and execute on an aggressive global growth plan, develop scaled strategies for addressing risk in business‑centric ways and build commercial processes that allow the business flexibility and freedom to move quickly.
• Look around corners anticipating steps ahead, and creatively guide the business to plan, build, and execute transactional and product roadmaps.
• Be a key business partner, not just a lawyer.

Data privacy: Depending on your location, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) may regulate the way we manage the data of job applicants. Our full notice outlining how data will be processed as part of the application procedure for applicable locations is available here. By submitting your application, you are agreeing to our use and processing of your data as required.

AI Disclosure: For select roles, Coinbase is piloting an AI tool based on machine learning technologies to conduct initial screening interviews to qualified applicants. The tool simulates realistic interview scenarios and engages in dynamic conversation. A human recruiter will review your interview responses, provided in the form of a voice recording and/or transcript, to assess them against the qualifications and characteristics outlined in the job description.

Requirements

• Qualified attorney in England and Wales, a financial hub within the European Union with at least 7 years experience working in a financial services institution (e.g. an exchange or central clearing counterparty, broker dealer / asset manager, trading firm, bank or brokerage) or in a law firm supporting such clients (ideally with some in‑house experience).
• Interest and experience with digital currency and blockchain technology.
• Experience working with product teams launching financial services, investment or similar products.
• Experience working and leading with cross‑functional, globally located teams.
• Expertise with UK and EU regulatory regimes applicable to derivatives and financial instruments (including MiFID & EMIR) and familiarity with crypto asset regulations (e.g. MiCA).
• A track record of challenging the status quo and preconceived notions of what is possible.
• Confidence and nuance giving advice on novel products in areas of regulatory ambiguity.
• Excellent judgement, analytical rigour, clear and direct written and oral communication skills, and business pragmatism.
• Top‑notch analytical skills with experience owning projects from concept to finish.
• Creativity, comfort and experience with solutions that help scale financial services businesses and technology solutions.
• Sound and practical business judgement.
• Intellectual curiosity and flexibility. Hunger to learn and expand skillsets.
• Team‑oriented and collaborative.

Nice to haves

• Experience leading critical authorisation and license applications for derivatives or similar highly‑regulated products in major jurisdictions.
• Experience analysing the regulatory status of crypto assets and whether they may qualify as regulated financial instruments (e.g. under MiFID).
• Experience advising on cross‑border licensing requirements, safe‑harbours and creating client classification procedures mapped to regulatory requirements.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to independently review and negotiate complex and novel financial agreements (e.g. prime brokerage, lending and derivatives documentation).

Pay Transparency Notice

The target annual base salary for this position can range as detailed below. Full‑time offers from Coinbase also include bonus eligibility, equity eligibility and benefits (including medical, dental, and vision). Base salary range shown: £129,240 GBP – £143,600 GBP. Total compensation also includes equity and bonus eligibility and benefits.

Commitment to Equal Opportunity.