Head of Compliance
Acheron is a market maker holding a CASP license issued by the AFM in the Netherlands under MiCAr and with passporting in all EU countries.
Acheron provides liquidity services to digital asset issuers from their most embryonic stages and throughout their adoption cycle. It is our belief that market inefficiency is one of the factors preventing digital assets from achieving mass adoption.
Acheron is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Head of Compliance to lead our global compliance organization, manage multi-jurisdictional compliance teams, and drive strategic regulatory planning.
This executive position goes beyond standard day-to-day oversight; it requires a strategic legal and regulatory architect. You will be responsible for expanding our global license portfolio (e.g., MAS, MiCA, VARA, FCA), designing robust scenario for shifting regulatory landscapes, and establishing compliant market-making frameworks across all major operating hubs.
Key Responsibilities
1. Regulatory Licensing & Jurisdictional Roadmap
Licensing Strategy & Execution: Lead and project-manage all global regulatory license applications, including securing full Major Payment Institution (MPI) status under Singapore’s Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Payment Services Act (PSA), expanding EU passporting under MiCA via the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), and securing approvals in target markets (e.g., Dubai VARA, UK FCA).
Horizon Scanning & Regulatory Intelligence: Continuously monitor global legislative and regulatory developments impacting market makers, algorithmic trading, token distribution, liquidity loans, and custody segregation.
Regulatory Onboarding & Structuring: Define precise client eligibility criteria and cross-border marketing/trading rules according to local regulatory limits (e.g., retail vs. accredited/institutional restrictions, geographic exclusions).
2. Regulatory Fallback & Contingency Scenario Planning
Contingency Architecture: Design, document, and operationalize robust regulatory "fallback frameworks" to insulate the firm against regulatory delays, adverse licensing decisions, or sudden shifts in regional regulatory policy.
Jurisdictional Routing & Entity Segregation: Partner with legal counsel to establish compliant dual-entity frameworks, cross-border booking arrangements, and offshore holding structures (e.g., Acheron Europe B.V. / Stichting Acheron Europe vs. Singapore vs. offshore desks) to ensure business continuity without regulatory breach.
Stress-Testing Regulatory Access: Conduct annual scenario exercises assessing the impact of regional operational shutdowns, forced migrations, or regulatory prohibitions on trading books and exchange counterparty relationships.
3. Regulator Relations & Supervisory Examinations
Primary Regulatory Contact: Serve as the designated primary point of contact for financial regulators globally (MAS, AFM, VARA, etc.), building transparent, constructive relationships.
Audits & Regulatory Filings: Direct all statutory regulatory filings, notification updates, financial returns, and independent third-party regulatory audits (e.g., MAS Form 4 audits, AFM supervisory reporting).
Inspection Management: Lead the firm’s response strategy for regulatory examinations, information requests, mystery shopping exercises, or formal inquiries.
4. Regulatory Governance & Policy Framework
Regulatory Policy Creation: Draft, implement, and periodically update core regulatory compliance policies (Market Conduct, Conflict of Interest, Insider Trading, Personal Trading, Client Asset Segregation, and Fair Execution).
Product & Service Approval: Perform mandatory regulatory risk reviews for new market-making structures (e.g., option-based token models, DEX liquidity pools, principal market making vs. agency execution) prior to deployment.
Rulebook Compliance: Ensure Acheron’s algorithmic execution algorithms and proprietary interfaces strictly adhere to local exchange rulebooks, market abuse directives, and fair liquidity standards.
5. Global Compliance Team Leadership
Functional Oversight: Manage, mentor, and direct regional Compliance Officers, local MLROs, and regulatory managers across APAC, Europe, the Middle East, and offshore jurisdictions.
Board & Risk Committee Reporting: Prepare comprehensive quarterly regulatory compliance reports for the CEO and Board of Directors, highlighting license status, regulatory risks, policy changes, and fallback readiness.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Senior Experience: 10+ years of compliance, legal, or regulatory experience in financial services, with at least 3+ years in a leadership role.
Crypto & Market Structure Expertise: Deep understanding of digital asset market-making mechanics (loan + option models, order book liquidity, spread dynamics, inventory management) and exchange operations (CEX & DEX).
Multi-Jurisdictional Track Record: Proven experience obtaining or managing licenses under major frameworks, such as:
Singapore MAS Payment Services Act (PSA / DPT)
European Union MiCA (CASP)
Dubai VARA Framework
US SEC/CFTC/FinCEN regulations or equivalent global regimes
Strategic & Scenario Planning: Experience in cross-border structuring, entity planning, and navigating regulatory transitions/exemption regimes.
Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage remote, international compliance teams and foster a collaborative, compliance-first culture.
Education & Credentials: Bachelor’s degree in Law, Finance, or Business. Professional certifications (e.g., CAMS, CASS, ICA) or legal qualifications (Bar admission) are preferred.
Ideal Candidate Traits
Agile & Strategic: Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and rapid regulatory evolution without compromising operational momentum.
Ethical Leadership: Unwavering commitment to integrity and transparency, matching Acheron’s core values.
Pragmatic Risk Manager: Ability to find business-enabling solutions that satisfy regulatory goals while maintaining trading efficiency.
Our Recruitment Philosophy- Leadership, trustworthiness, and reputation are at the core of Acheron Trading’s DNA. We seek individuals who are:
- Analytical thinkers capable of assessing and optimizing execution strategies
- Self-starters with the confidence to make informed trading decisions
- Trustworthy and accountable, ensuring reliability for colleagues and clients
- Committed to excellence, going above and beyond to uphold Acheron Trading’s reputation
Our Offer
- Competitive salary
- A clear pipeline toward a permanent, full-time role upon graduation
- The opportunity to work with one of the most innovative and fastest-growing trading firms in the industry
How to apply
- Send your resume together with a brief introduction on yourself to sean.lim@acherontrading.com
Note: we do not work with middle-men recruiters, any hire should be direct.