At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide strategic legal guidance on compliance and regulatory issues across multiple regions.
- Company: Join KAST, a forward-thinking company shaping the future of money.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a chance to influence industry standards and practices.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of legal innovation in the fast-paced financial services sector.
- Qualifications: 5+ years PQE with expertise in digital assets and regulatory frameworks.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The EMEA Legal Counsel will provide strategic legal guidance across KAST's UK, EU and Middle East operations. You will work closely with Product, Compliance and GTM / Business teams to ensure compliance with UK, EU, and Middle Eastern regulatory frameworks and support KAST's engagement with regulators and industry groups. This role is ideal for a lawyer who thrives in fast-moving environments and is passionate about building the legal foundations for the future of money. Location: flexible across the UK/Europe.
Responsibilities
- Advising the business on compliance and legal issues related to structuring new and existing stablecoin, payments, and card products and features.
- Expanding KAST's product offering in line with regulatory requirements.
- Drafting and maintaining customer-facing legal documents including Terms of Service, user agreements, and product-specific disclosures.
- Managing and advising on UK, EU, Middle East financial services, digital asset and privacy regulatory requirements.
- Monitoring and advising on developments from the FCA, EBA, ESMA, ECB, CBUAE, VARA, DFSA, FSRA and relevant national competent authorities — and their impact on KAST's regional business.
- Owning KAST's global data privacy legal function.
- Collaborating with Product and Commercial teams to design compliant product structures for retail and institutional clients, including card program agreements.
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements with counterparties, including service providers, partners and institutional clients.
- Supporting card programme compliance under Visa/Mastercard network rules and relevant EEA/UK issuing frameworks.
- Ensuring robust compliance with UK, EU, Middle East financial services regulation including AML/CTF, OFAC, sanctions and Travel Rule as applicable.
- Managing and overseeing outside counsel relationships, including firm selection, matter scoping, and legal spend.
- Engaging proactively with regional regulators and industry associations to advocate for clear, innovation-friendly frameworks.
Qualifications & Skills
- 5+ years of PQE - qualification in England & Wales or EU Member State; dual qualification (e.g. UK + EU jurisdiction) an advantage.
- Experience advising on digital assets (and payments), including time at a top law firm or in-house.
- Strong knowledge of the FCA regulatory framework and UK financial services law; working knowledge of EU financial services regulation (MiCA, PSD2, EMD2, MLD5/6) and at least one MENA regulatory framework.
- Hands-on data privacy expertise — UK GDPR and/or EU GDPR advisory experience.
- Familiarity with AML/CTF, sanctions compliance, and Travel Rule obligations in an EMEA context.
- Excellent communicator and stakeholder manager, with the ability to take decisions where there is ambiguity and translate complex regulation into practical business guidance.
- Comfortable working across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Senior Legal Counsel (Regulatory) employer: kast.xyz
As a Product Director at our London office, you'll be part of a dynamic and innovative team that values creativity and collaboration. We offer competitive benefits, a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth, and unique opportunities to shape the future of payments in a thriving financial hub. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a vibrant city lifestyle.
