Director of AML & Virtual Asset Compliance

About the Company Born from groundbreaking research at Columbia University and Yale University, CertiK is a leading Web3 security company focused on securing blockchain protocols, smart contracts, and decentralized applications through cutting-edge security research, formal verification, and AI-powered technology. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York City, CertiK provides end-to-end security solutions including smart contract audits, penetration testing, on-chain monitoring, incident response, and compliance services for some of the largest projects in the digital asset ecosystem. Today, CertiK supports thousands of enterprise clients and Web3 projects globally, with a distributed international team spanning North America, Asia, and Europe. The company is backed by leading investors including Coatue, Goldman Sachs, Insight Partners, and Sequoia Capital, and has been recognized by organizations such as the World Economic Forum and CB Insights for its contributions to blockchain security innovation. About the Role We are looking for an experienced compliance leader to help shape and expand our work across anti money laundering, virtual asset compliance, and blockchain risk management. This role is designed for someone who can bridge the gap between traditional finance compliance officers and crypto AML product development, with a strong focus on client-facing product discovery. You will serve as a senior subject matter expert on AML and virtual asset compliance, working directly with financial institutions and VASPs to understand their compliance workflows and needs, translate those needs into actionable product requirements, and help strengthen CertiK’s compliance capabilities and products. About You You are a practical and commercially minded compliance leader with deep experience in AML, financial crime, and virtual assets. You have direct experience as a compliance officer, MLRO, or equivalent within a financial institution and understand how traditional finance compliance teams operate. You are comfortable sitting with clients to understand their workflows, pain points, and product needs, and can move from “client said this” to prioritized, actionable product requirements that product and engineering teams can execute. You understand how strong compliance programs, credible risk controls, and effective blockchain analytics can support responsible business growth.

Responsibilities • Build and improve AML frameworks, virtual asset compliance strategy, sanctions, risk assessments, transaction monitoring, and investigation processes.

• Advise financial institutions and VASPs on virtual asset compliance, regulatory expectations, and blockchain related financial crime risks.

• Work directly with clients, especially traditional finance compliance teams, to understand their workflows, pain points, and product needs.

• Translate client needs into prioritized, actionable product requirements that product and engineering teams can execute.

• Monitor regulatory developments and translate them into practical compliance guidance and product requirements.

• Where applicable, serve as MLRO or support the designated MLRO on suspicious activity reviews and regulatory reporting.

• Partner with product, engineering, business development teams, regulators, law enforcement, and other industry stakeholders.

Requirements • Direct experience as a compliance officer, MLRO, Chief Compliance Officer, Head of Financial Crime, or equivalent at a financial institution, preferably in Hong Kong, Singapore, or the broader APAC region.

• Experience across both traditional financial institutions and the virtual asset industry.

• Proven client-facing product discovery experience, particularly working with compliance teams to understand their needs and translate them into clear product requirements.

• Strong knowledge of AML, financial crime, sanctions, transaction monitoring, regulatory compliance and reporting, and virtual asset financial crime risks.

• Hands on experience with blockchain analytics, KYT, wallet screening, or similar on-chain compliance tools and processes.

• Strong communication skills and CAMS or an equivalent AML qualification.

Bonus Points • Experience owning the AML program of a regulated entity, VASP licensing, regulatory examinations, or remediation.

• Established relationships across regulators, law enforcement, banks, exchanges, or the virtual asset industry.

The expected annual base salary range for this position in the United States is $150,000 to $220,000. Compensation for candidates outside the United States will be determined based on location, experience, and qualifications.   #blockchain #startups #hiring   CertiK accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis.   In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.   CertiK is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law.   CertiK will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local and federal requirements. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf   All CertiK employees are expected to actively support diversity on their teams, and in the Company.