Head of Legal

Remote | United Kingdom | Crypto & Payments | FCA Authorisation | Employment or B2BOur client is an established, profitable fintech operating at the intersection of crypto and traditional payments. It runs a consumer on/off-ramp platform and a fast-growing B2B infrastructure business: APIs and white-label solutions that let exchanges, neobanks, PSPs, wallets and other platforms embed regulated crypto and fiat services. The company is authorised under MiCA and PSD2 in the EU and is now building its regulatory presence in the UK. The culture is owner-led, high-ownership and low-bureaucracy: decisions are made quickly and close to the founders.About the roleThis is a senior, hands-on legal role with a single, clear mandate: own the company’s UK regulatory build. You will report directly to the CEO and be the most senior legal voice in the business on UK matters.The UK’s new cryptoasset regime takes effect in October 2027. From that date, regulated cryptoasset activity in the UK requires FCA authorisation. You will own a first-wave authorisation under this new regime end to end, alongside a UK e-money application. For a regulatory lawyer, this is a career-defining piece of work, and the window to start it is narrow.The role has no direct reports at hire. You will work closely with the company’s EU legal function. This is a deliberately focused UK mandate, not a group legal role.What you will ownFCA cryptoasset authorisation: perimeter analysis of B2C and B2B activities against the new regime, application strategy, drafting, regulatory business plan input, RFI handling and dialogue through to decision.UK EMI application: ownership on the same basis, including sequencing between the two applications.FCA relationship: acting as the senior in-house legal counterpart to the regulator.UK conduct perimeter: the cryptoasset financial promotions regime, Consumer Duty, the UK Travel Rule, and safeguarding and prudential requirements.Post-authorisation readiness: governance, s