Senior Counsel, Arc

What You’ll Be Part Of

Circle is committed to visibility and stability in everything we do. As we grow as an organization, we're expanding into some of the world's strongest jurisdictions. Speed and efficiency are motivators for our success and our employees live by our company values: High Integrity, Future Forward, Multistakeholder, Mindful, and Driven by Excellence. We have built a flexible work environment where new ideas are encouraged and everyone is a stakeholder.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Provide strategic legal support for the launch and evolution of Arc (the layer-1 blockchain designed by Circle and currently in public testnet) and broader infrastructure initiatives.
• Advisory on the design, launch, and governance of the Arc network to ensure legal and regulatory compliance across global markets.
• Lead regulatory analysis related to blockchain and Web3 infrastructure, with a focus on digital asset, securities, and financial frameworks.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Compliance, and Policy to shape blockchain features and smart contract structures aligned with applicable laws.
• Design and implement legal policies, protocols, and risk mitigation strategies that promote safe and scalable network operations.
• Shape distributed governance frameworks that align with legal standards and support long-term sustainability of the Arc network.
• Contribute legal insight and strategic input to Circle’s leadership briefings and regulatory engagement efforts.

What You’ll Bring To Circle

• Core Requirements:
  • J.D. degree with strong academic credentials and active membership in good standing with a U.S. state bar.
  • 10+ years of relevant legal experience, including at a top law firm or in-house at a technology or financial services company.
  • Candidates with fewer years of experience, but significant relevant expertise are also encouraged to apply.
  • Expertise in U.S. financial regulations, including securities, commodities, banking, or payments law.
  • Experience advising on legal risk and compliance considerations for blockchain or digital asset products.
  • Familiarity with legal issues related to smart contracts, token design, or distributed governance models.
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate complex legal frameworks in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
  • Deep knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and related anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions obligations applicable to digital assets and financial technology companies.
  • Experience advising on U.S. and global money transmission laws, including licensing considerations and operational implications.
• Preferred Requirements:
  • Ability to translate legal guidance into practical recommendations for product and engineering teams.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills, including experience partnering with cross-functional teams.
  • Exposure to policy, regulatory engagement, or open-source legal frameworks in Web3 or fintech contexts.

Core Requirements

• J.D. degree with strong academic credentials and active membership in good standing with a U.S. state bar.
• 10+ years of relevant legal experience, including at a top law firm or in-house at a technology or financial services company.
• Candidates with fewer years of experience, but significant relevant expertise are also encouraged to apply.
• Expertise in U.S. financial regulations, including securities, commodities, banking, or payments law.
• Experience advising on legal risk and compliance considerations for blockchain or digital asset products.
• Familiarity with legal issues related to smart contracts, token design, or distributed governance models.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex legal frameworks in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Deep knowledge of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and related anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions obligations applicable to digital assets and financial technology companies.
• Experience advising on U.S. and global money transmission laws, including licensing considerations and operational implications.

Preferred Requirements

• Ability to translate legal guidance into practical recommendations for product and engineering teams.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, including experience partnering with cross-functional teams.
• Exposure to policy, regulatory engagement, or open-source legal frameworks in Web3 or fintech contexts.

Pay & Benefits

Base Pay Range: $230,000 - $297,500. Please note that compensation ranges may differ for candidates in other locations.