Product Counsel

About the role

This role focuses on providing legal, regulatory, and strategic advice throughout the product development lifecycle. The Product Counsel will support teams in understanding and navigating legal complexities related to crypto custody, lending, OTC trading, and other financial products. This involves assessing and mitigating legal risks, ensuring compliance, and contributing to the strategic direction of product offerings.

A key aspect of the position is the comprehensive legal support for intricate financial arrangements that bridge traditional finance with cryptocurrency. This includes drafting and negotiating agreements, establishing service level agreements (SLAs) for both retail and institutional customers, and ensuring these align with regulatory requirements and market standards. The counsel will also manage projects collaboratively and effectively.

Success in this role means building strong relationships with internal leadership, cross-functional partners, and external stakeholders. The Product Counsel will work closely with the General Counsel and the legal team to evaluate risks, develop creative solutions, and adapt to a changing regulatory landscape. The goal is to support business priorities while maintaining legal soundness in a rapidly evolving industry.

The annual salary for this position ranges from $162,500 to $250,000.

Skills that matter here

• JD degree: This degree is a fundamental requirement for practicing law and providing legal counsel in this role.
• regulatory frameworks governing lending, payments and depository account products: Knowledge of these frameworks is preferred for advising on products like state money transmitter licensing, Reg Z, and Reg E, and handling related inquiries.
• U.S. securities and derivatives laws: Familiarity with SEC, FINRA, and CFTC rules is preferred for guiding product development in the financial markets.
• managing licensing applications and supervisory matters: Experience in this area is preferred for navigating regulatory processes for financial services businesses domestically and internationally.
• drafting customer-facing disclosures and terms: Experience in this area is preferred for creating clear and compliant documentation for retail payment products.
• disruptive technology; fintech, digital assets or high-growth tech companies: A strong interest in and prior experience with these areas are preferred, indicating an understanding of the company's core business.

Who this role suits

• A legal professional with at least six years of experience from a law firm or in-house setting.
• Someone who can proactively assess and mitigate legal risks in a fast-paced environment.
• An individual adept at creative problem-solving and building strong, trusted cross-functional relationships.
• A candidate who holds membership in a US state bar and possesses fluency in English.

From the employer

• Provide risk-principled legal, regulatory, and strategic advice to product, design, marketing, and technology teams during all phases of the product development lifecycle.
• Provide holistic legal support of complex financial arrangements at the intersection of cryptocurrency and traditional financial arrangements, including crypto custody, lending, OTC trading, and other complex financial products.
• Draft and negotiate complex agreements and establish thoughtful standards, such as SLAs, for retail and institutional customers based on regulatory requirements and market norms.
• Manage projects effectively and collaboratively.
• Build positive and influential relationships with Gemini leadership, cross-functional partners, and external stakeholders regarding regulatory matters that impact our products.
• Collaborate with and support the General Counsel and the rest of the Legal team to evaluate and communicate legal risks and develop creative solutions to bridge business priorities in a changing regulatory landscape.

• JD degree.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant legal experience at a law firm or in-house.
• Fluency in English.
• Member of a US state bar in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing lending, payments and depository account products (e.g., state money transmitter licensing, Reg Z, Reg E), and experience in handling inquiries and enforcement matters related to such products.
• Familiarity with U.S. securities and derivatives laws, including SEC and FINRA broker-dealer rules and CFTC frameworks.
• Experience in managing licensing applications and supervisory matters for regulated financial services businesses in the U.S. and abroad.
• Experience drafting customer-facing disclosures and terms for a retail payments business.
• Proven ability to proactively, efficiently, and accurately assess and mitigate legal risks in a fast-paced environment.
• Track record of creative problem-solving, excellent written and oral communication skills, and creation of strong and trusted cross-functional relationships.
• Strong knowledge of and interest in disruptive technology; prior experience working in fintech, digital assets or high-growth tech companies a plus.

• Competitive starting pay
• A discretionary annual bonus
• Long-term incentive in the form of a new hire equity grant
• Comprehensive health plans
• 401K with company matching
• Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible time off