Senior Counsel, UK Legal
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Ready to be pushed beyond what you think you’re capable of?
At Coinbase, our mission is to increase economic freedom in the world. It’s a massive, ambitious opportunity that demands the best of us, every day, as we build the emerging onchain platform — and with it, the future global financial system.
To achieve our mission, we’re seeking a very specific candidate. We want someone who is passionate about our mission and who believes in the power of crypto and blockchain technology to update the financial system. We want someone who is eager to leave their mark on the world, who relishes the pressure and privilege of working with high caliber colleagues, and who actively seeks feedback to keep leveling up. We want someone who will run towards, not away from, solving the company’s hardest problems.
Our work culture is intense and isn’t for everyone. But if you want to build the future alongside others who excel in their disciplines and expect the same from you, there’s no better place to be.
While many roles at Coinbase are remote-first, we are not remote-only. In-person participation is required throughout the year. Team and company-wide offsites are held multiple times annually to foster collaboration, connection, and alignment. Attendance is expected and fully supported.
Join our team as a Senior Legal Counsel to advise on UK legal matters, ensuring compliance with financial regulations (MiFID, VASP, e-money/payments, SMCR), consumer protection, and financial promotions. Support product launches, global expansion, and streamline legal policies for our growing business.
What you'll do:
- Provide expert legal advice to executives and the Compliance team on UK and international operations, ensuring compliance with financial services regulations and digital currency best practices.
- Guide our UK entity on legal and regulatory compliance for new products, commercial relationships, and banking partnerships.
- Monitor new regulatory trends in digital currency across the UK, EU, and other key jurisdictions.
- Continuously assess legal needs and risks to provide outstanding support as our business grows.
- Effectively manage outside counsel and build strong in-house expertise.
What we're looking for:
- Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 5+ years of experience in a regulated VASP, e-money/payment services, or financial services institution (or supporting such clients at a law firm).
- Strong familiarity with key UK financial services regulations (FSMA, MiFID, SMCR, COBS, FinProm).
- Experience engaging with regulators like the FCA preferred.
- Exceptional legal writing skills and adept at synthesizing stakeholder perspectives.
- Ability to manage complex projects, coordinate across time zones, and meet tight deadlines.
- Excellent judgment, analytical rigor, and commercial pragmatism, providing crisp and practical legal advice.
- Highly driven, proactive, and keen to establish efficient processes.
- Flexible, detail-oriented, and thrives in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment.
Bonus points for:
- Enthusiasm for and basic understanding of digital currencies/blockchain.
PID: P71046
Pay Transparency Notice: The target annual salary for this position can range as detailed below. Full time offers from Coinbase also include target bonus + target equity + benefits (including medical, dental, and vision).
Please be advised that each candidate may submit a maximum of four applications within any 30-day period. We encourage you to carefully evaluate how your skills and interests align with Coinbase's roles before applying.
Commitment to Equal Opportunity
Coinbase is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by applicable law. Coinbase will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. For US applicants, you may view the Know Your Rights notice here. Additionally, Coinbase participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law.
Coinbase is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at accommodations[at]coinbase.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. For quick access to screen reading technology compatible with this site click here to download a free compatible screen reader (free step by step tutorial can be found here).
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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. For US applicants only, by submitting your application you are agreeing to arbitration of disputes as outlined here.
- Private Medical Insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision/ Eye Care Vouchers
- Life Assurance Benefit
- Disability/Income Protection
- Workplace Pension Scheme
- Travel Medical Policy - Global Traveler
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- Wellness Stipend
- Mobile/Internet Reimbursement
- Connections Stipend
- Learning and Development Allowance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Fertility Benefits
- Generous Time off/Leave Policy
