UAE Compliance Officer and MLRO

Location: Dubai, UAE

OpenFX is on a mission to move money as freely as data, unrestricted by time zones, banking hours, or legacy systems. We are building the infrastructure that will power the next generation of cross-border payments for institutions, leveraging stablecoins and innovative strategies that are delivering low-cost, real-time settlement of transactions. The team's execution has been exceptional, and we're scaling at a remarkable pace. Our stellar early team comes with experience in leading technology and financial services companies including J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Stripe, FalconX, PayPal & others. We're backed by Accel, Faction, NfX, Accomplice, and other top-tier investors.

We are seeking a Compliance Officer (CO) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) - someone who is hands-on and can take full ownership to build and scale our compliance program across the UAE. This is a foundational role critical to establishing OpenFX's Compliance infrastructure for our UAE regulated entities, which serve as the hub for our Middle East and global operations. You will lead the UAE compliance function, adapting and implementing OpenFX’s global policies, procedures, and controls to enable strong growth alongside effective compliance and risk management across our virtual asset (VA) and payments activities.

As the appointed CO and MLRO, you will be the primary point of contact with UAE regulators, supporting licensing activities across the broader UAE regulatory landscape. 

• Contribute to building OpenFX's global compliance infrastructure, including comprehensicave compliance policies, procedures, and systems for the OpenFX Group and for OpenFX's UAE regulated entity that address regulatory requirements with respect to virtual assets and payments, AML/CFT, sanctions, and privacy and data security, among others
• Lead and support licensing initiatives in the UAE, serving as the primary point of contact with UAE regulators; support licensing workstreams across other UAE regulatory perimeters as the business scales
• Serve as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and AML/CFT Compliance Officer for our UAE regulated entity engaged in virtual asset and payment activities, owning and enhancing OpenFX's AML/CFT programs in the UAE to efficiently prevent, detect, and report money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes, and ensuring alignment with UAE AML/CFT legislation and applicable regulatory requirements
• Leverage compliance tools, RegTech solutions, and analytics to enhance program effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability, including transaction monitoring systems and blockchain analytics platforms
• Stay current on UAE regulatory developments, assess impact on OpenFX operations and develop and implement expanded compliance policies and procedures as needed
• Provide independent oversight of the UAE compliance framework, ensuring that program requirements are robust and effectively implemented. Key responsibilities include overseeing client onboarding, KYC/KYB reviews, and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) to verify adherence to UAE regulatory standards, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of transaction surveillance systems, providing independent challenge to suspicious activity analysis, and ensuring the accuracy and timely submission of all mandatory regulatory filings and reports
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Legal, and Operations and provide compliance advice on market expansion, new product development, and operational changes to ensure compliance as the company scales
• Manage compliance requirements from banking partners, digital asset partners, and payment networks to ensure operational alignment and trust, and serve as the primary compliance point of contact for partner-related compliance inquiries and audits
• Report on the UAE AML/CFT and sanctions program to the UAE Board

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 5+ years of compliance experience in virtual assets, payments, fintech, or financial services
• Strong understanding of UAE financial regulations including UAE AML/CFT legislation, applicable regulatory requirements for virtual assets and payments, UAE Payment Services Regulations
• Hands-on proven experience building and executing compliance programs, policies, and controls at a financial services company, including administration of AML/KYC processes, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting
• Proven experience serving as MLRO or in a senior AML compliance role at a UAE-regulated virtual asset or payment entity
• Attention to detail and excellent communication skills
• Proven track record working effectively with cross-functional partners and external stakeholders including UAE regulators
• Commitment to teamwork and ability to work in a fast-paced start-up environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in cross-border payments, FX, and/or virtual asset compliance
• Prior work at a start-up or high-growth company
• Familiarity with compliance technology platforms including transaction monitoring systems (e.g., Actimize, SAS, ComplyAdvantage) and blockchain analytics tools (Chainalysis, Elliptic, TRM Labs)
• Prior experience supporting UAE licensing applications and working directly with UAE financial services regulators
• Experience working across multiple UAE regulatory perimeters, including UAE financial free zones
• Law degree or professional compliance certifications (ICA, ACAMS, CAMS)

• Competitive salary and equity package
• Impact: Help design and build a key foundation of the company's growth and long-term success
• Growth and Learning: Opportunity to work in a fast-paced startup and build the compliance function of a company at the forefront of fintech innovation
• Culture: Collaborative team environment with emphasis on personal and professional growth
• Mission: Help build the future of global financial infrastructure

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.