About this role.
CertiK seeks a senior AML and virtual-asset compliance leader to shape its financial-crime, sanctions, and blockchain-risk capabilities. The director will design and improve AML frameworks, transaction-monitoring and investigation processes, and regulatory reporting practices. This role advises financial institutions and virtual asset service providers while partnering with product, engineering, business-development, regulators, and law-enforcement stakeholders. Strong prior leadership as an MLRO, CCO, Head of Financial Crime, or comparable compliance executive is required, along with blockchain analytics and on-chain compliance expertise.
Role DNA
A quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description.
Job Complexity
5/5Pace & Pressure
4/5Autonomy Level
5/5Communication Load
5/5Salary analysis
Estimated compensation compared with the broader US market for similar roles.
Core skills
Skills and capabilities most closely associated with this opportunity.
Sample interview questions
I would begin with a jurisdiction-specific risk assessment covering products, customer segments, geographies, counterparties, blockchain exposure, and delivery channels. I would then define governance, customer due diligence, sanctions controls, KYT and wallet-screening rules, alert investigation workflows, suspicious-activity reporting, recordkeeping, training, and independent testing. The framework would include measurable control ownership and a roadmap for licensing or regulatory examination readiness.
Traditional monitoring focuses largely on customer account behavior and payment flows within identifiable institutions. Blockchain monitoring must also evaluate wallet exposure, transaction chains, mixers, illicit-service typologies, cross-chain movement, smart-contract interactions, and attribution uncertainty. Effective controls combine on-chain analytics with customer KYC, off-chain evidence, calibrated alert rules, and documented investigative decisions.
I would ensure the alert is triaged promptly, preserve relevant evidence, validate the wallet attribution and exposure path, and assess whether the activity creates a sanctions prohibition or other reporting obligation. I would coordinate with legal, the MLRO, and appropriate operational teams to restrict activity where required, conduct enhanced due diligence, and document the rationale for any escalation or filing. The process must be timely, confidential, and auditable.
I would first interpret the requirement with counsel and identify the affected customer journeys, data elements, monitoring controls, reporting processes, and governance obligations. I would turn those findings into prioritized requirements with clear acceptance criteria for product and engineering, while defining interim manual controls where necessary. Finally, I would test implementation, train affected teams, maintain evidence of compliance, and monitor post-launch effectiveness.
I treat compliance as a risk-enabling function rather than a purely restrictive one. By applying a risk-based model, clear customer segmentation, proportionate due diligence, and well-designed automation, the business can onboard appropriate customers efficiently while escalating genuinely high-risk activity. I would use risk metrics and case outcomes to continually refine controls so they remain both defensible and operationally practical.
About the Company
Born from groundbreaking research at Columbia University and Yale University, CertiK is a leading Web3 security company focused on securing blockchain protocols, smart contracts, and decentralized applications through cutting-edge security research, formal verification, and AI-powered technology. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in New York City, CertiK provides end-to-end security solutions including smart contract audits, penetration testing, on-chain monitoring, incident response, and compliance services for some of the largest projects in the digital asset ecosystem. Today, CertiK supports thousands of enterprise clients and Web3 projects globally, with a distributed international team spanning North America, Asia, and Europe. The company is backed by leading investors including Coatue, Goldman Sachs, Insight Partners, and Sequoia Capital, and has been recognized by organizations such as the World Economic Forum and CB Insights for its contributions to blockchain security innovation.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced compliance and financial crime leader to help shape and expand our work across anti money laundering, virtual asset compliance, and blockchain risk management. This role is designed for someone who understands compliance from both sides of the market: traditional financial institutions and virtual asset service providers. You should be comfortable operating at the intersection of regulation, financial crime prevention, blockchain analytics, and commercial strategy. You will serve as a senior subject matter expert on AML and virtual asset compliance, helping the company strengthen its compliance capabilities, advise financial institutions and VASPs, and engage credibly with regulators, law enforcement agencies, clients, and industry partners.
About You
You are a practical and commercially minded compliance leader with deep experience in AML, financial crime, and virtual assets.
You have worked within, or closely alongside, both traditional financial institutions and VASPs, and understand the differences between conventional transaction monitoring and the risks presented by blockchain based financial activity. You are equally comfortable reviewing a complex financial crime case, designing an AML framework, advising senior leadership, speaking with a regulator, and explaining blockchain risk to a bank, exchange, or government stakeholder. You do not approach compliance as a purely administrative function. You understand how strong compliance programs, credible risk controls, and effective blockchain analytics can support responsible business growth.
Responsibilities
- Build and improve AML frameworks, virtual asset compliance strategy, sanctions, risk assessments, transaction monitoring, and investigation processes.
- Advise financial institutions and VASPs on virtual asset compliance, regulatory expectations, and blockchain related financial crime risks.
- Monitor regulatory developments and translate them into practical compliance guidance and product requirements.
- Where applicable, serve as MLRO or support the designated MLRO on suspicious activity reviews and regulatory reporting.
- Partner with product, engineering, business development teams, regulators, law enforcement, and other industry stakeholders.
Requirements
- Prior experience as an MLRO, Chief Compliance Officer, Head of Financial Crime, or a similar senior compliance role.
- Experience across both traditional financial institutions and the virtual asset industry.
- Strong knowledge of AML, financial crime, sanctions, transaction monitoring, regulatory compliance and reporting, and virtual asset financial crime risks.
- Hands on experience with blockchain analytics, KYT, wallet screening, or similar on-chain compliance tools and processes.
- Strong communication skills and CAMS or an equivalent AML qualification.
Bonus Points
- Experience owning the AML program of a regulated entity, VASP licensing, regulatory examinations, or remediation.
- Established relationships across regulators, law enforcement, banks, exchanges, or the virtual asset industry.
Compensation
Additional Information
The expected annual base salary range for this position in the United States is $150,000 to $220,000. Compensation for candidates outside the United States will be determined based on location, experience, and qualifications.
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CertiK accepts applications for this position on an ongoing basis.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
CertiK is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, medical condition, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law.
CertiK will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local and federal requirements.
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf
All CertiK employees are expected to actively support diversity on their teams, and in the Company.
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