Regulatory Compliance Manager

VALR; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development allowance

Discretionary bonuses

Tier 5 trading fees privileges

Lunch at Johannesburg head office

Job summary

VALR is seeking a seasoned Compliance & Regulatory Attorney to advance its crypto regulatory program from Johannesburg. You will research financial services laws globally, draft legal opinions, and translate findings for Product and Engineering teams.

You'll monitor regulator updates, assess licensing thresholds, and prepare horizon-scanning reports for executive leadership. A strong background in AML/CFT, data protection, and cross-border regulation is essential.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years’ legal and/or compliance experience, preferably in crypto or fintech or financial services practice.
• Strong knowledge of financial services regulation relevant to VALR, including crypto asset and VASP regulation, AML/CFT and data protection.
• Proven track record of drafting formal legal opinions balancing compliance with business needs.

Responsibilities

• Research complex financial services laws globally, including crypto and digital asset regulation.
• Draft clear legal opinions and risk assessments on licensing thresholds and multi-country operations.
• Analyse evolving laws and turn them into concrete legal strategies for product design.
• Translate legal findings into plain-language guidance for non-legal teams.
• Track regulator updates and prepare horizon-scanning reports for leadership.
• Draft and coordinate VALR’s regulatory responses and compliance documentation.

Skills

Legal compliance

Crypto regulation

Regulatory analysis

Regulatory research

Education

LLB or equivalent

Tools

Regulatory databases

Job description

Job Description

About Us:

Founded in 2018, headquartered in Johannesburg, and backed by leading investors including Pantera Capital, Coinbase Ventures and Fidelity’s F-Prime Capital, VALR is a global crypto exchange offering a comprehensive suite of products—including Spot Trading, Spot Margin, Perpetual Futures, Staking, Lending, Borrowing, OTC services, VALR Invest, Crypto Bundles, and VALR Pay. Licensed by South Africa’s FSCA, with regulatory approval in Europe, VALR serves over 1.7 million registered users and 2,000 corporate and institutional clients worldwide. The exchange is dedicated to advancing a just financial future that upholds human dignity and the unity of mankind. For more information, visit valr.com.

Our Vision

To establish VALR as a global institution that advances the economic life of human civilisation through a borderless, inclusive, and empowering financial ecosystem.

Our Mission

To contribute towards a global financial system that upholds justice, fosters human dignity, and reflects the oneness of humanity, by serving the financial needs of individuals, communities, and institutions through innovative financial technologies.

Job Requirements

• At least 5 years’ legal and/or compliance experience, preferable at a crypto asset service provider, fintech, tech-focused financial institution or the financial services practice of a top-tier law firm.
• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or equivalent legal qualification.
• Strong knowledge of financial services regulation relevant to VALR, including crypto asset and VASP regulation, digital payments, banking-as-a-service, open banking, AML/CFT and data protection laws.
• Proven track record of drafting formal legal opinions that balance legal compliance with business agility.
• Exceptional research skills using legal databases and primary regulatory sources to uncover nuanced legal positions.
• Ability to analyse ambiguous, newly drafted or fast-evolving regulation and extract concrete business impacts.
• Advantageous: a professional compliance certification (e.g. through the Compliance Institute Southern Africa or an international equivalent).
• Advantageous: experience across VALR’s jurisdictions and regulators – South Africa (FSCA, FIC), Kenya (CMA, CBK), Malta (MFSA) and the Cayman Islands (CIMA)

Job Responsibilities

• Research complex financial services laws globally, including payment frameworks, data privacy and crypto, virtual and digital asset regulation.
• Draft clear legal opinions and risk assessments on how existing and emerging laws apply to current operations and new products, covering product viability, licensing thresholds and multi-country operational risk.
• Analyse ambiguous or fast-evolving laws and turn them into concrete legal strategies for product design.
• Translate legal findings into practical, plain-language guidance for Product, Engineering and other non-legal teams.
• Track bills, consultation papers and updates from financial regulators, central banks and government bodies.
• Identify regulatory shifts early and assess their strategic and operational impact on VALR.
• Prepare regular horizon-scanning reports and briefs for executive leadership to inform long-term strategy.
• Draft and coordinate VALR’s responses to regulatory consultations and industry comment submissions.
• Develop, record and manage Compliance Risk Management Plans (CRMPs) for the VALR Group.
• Support engagement with regulators, including the FSCA, FIC, CIMA, MFSA, CMA and CBK, on information requests, regulatory returns and licence conditions.
• Support regulatory inspections, audits and inquiries by compiling sound documentation and compliance records.
• Update compliance policies, frameworks and procedures to reflect newly enacted laws and regulations, and track their implementation across the business.
• Train internal teams on upcoming regulatory changes to build a strong culture of compliance.

Job Benefits

• Innovative Work Environment
  • Engage with the latest blockchain technologies and tools in a rapidly evolving industry.
  • Work from anywhere with secure, stable internet connectivity, allowing you to create your ideal workspace.
• Career Development
  • Benefit from an annual professional development allowance alongside scheduled company training sessions to keep you at the forefront of the crypto industry.
• Competitive Compensation
  • Competitive salaries that align with industry standards.
  • When you contribute to our success, you’ll be rewarded with discretionary bonuses, recognising your impact on VALR’s growth.
  • Receive preferential Tier 5 trading fees on VALR, with no monthly trading volume required.
• Diversity and Inclusion
  • A commitment to fostering a diverse workforce with initiatives that promote equity and belonging.
• Wellness
  • Employees are encouraged to strive for coherent and wholesome lives, fulfilling their work, personal, social, physical and spiritual goals to the best of their abilities.
  • Compliance with statutory leave required by individual countries, in addition to flexible leave options.
  • Enjoy lunch on us when working from our Johannesburg Head Office, one of the ways we support wellbeing and connection in the workplace.
• Impact and Contribution
  • At VALR, we believe in a financial system that recognises the oneness of humanity. Our mission is to break down financial barriers and promote universal values of courage, ethical integrity, and the intrinsic worth of every individual.
  • Engage in initiatives that promote education and awareness about cryptocurrencies, ensuring that everyone has the tools and knowledge to participate in the evolving financial landscape.
• Dynamic Team Culture
  • Open communication and teamwork across departments, fostering innovation and creativity.
  • Enjoy social gatherings outside of work to strengthen team bonds and boost morale.
• Global Exposure
  • Work with colleagues from around the world.
  • Exposure to diverse perspectives and practices in the crypto space.
• Recognition and Rewards
  • Regular acknowledgement of employee accomplishments, fostering a culture of appreciation and motivation.
  • Join us for retreats that blend professional development with team bonding in inspiring locations.
  • Tools for Success
  • Receive a Mac laptop and a discretionary allowance to purchase all the extras needed for a productive home office—yours to keep after three years (terms and conditions apply).