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Chief Operating Officer (COO), Cryptocurrency Exchange

CXM · Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Position: Chief Operating Officer (COO), Cryptocurrency ExchangeReporting Line: Reports directly to the Group Chief Executive Officer (Group CEO).Location: Fully RemoteGeneral Purpose: Responsible for launching and operationally scaling the cryptocurrency exchange, ensuring excellence in execution, regulatory compliance, and efficient business operations across all functional areas.Specific Objectives (:12 months):Establish a global network of introducing brokers/key opinion leaders (IBs/KOLs) and retail partners to drive customer acquisition and platform growthDefine and initiate the licensing roadmap across key jurisdictions to enable compliant operations and future market expansionImplement convenient and reliable fiat on- and off-ramp solutions tailored to the needs of each operational marketBuild and structure a scalable, cross-functional operations team to support growth, compliance, and service excellenceAchieve operational break-even through disciplined cost management, revenue optimization, and strategic scalingDevelop and formalize a clear, differentiated unique value proposition (UVP) to guide positioning, messaging, and go-to-market effortsDesign and deploy a CRM, client member area (for clients and IBs/KOLs), and a back-office system to support commercial operations, partner management, and internal workflowsKey Activities:Establish and enforce internal operational policies and external partner standards to ensure consistent, compliant, and scalable executionRecruit, structure, and lead a sales team focused on acquiring and managing relationships with crypto Introducing Brokers/Key Opinion Leaders (IBs/KOLs)Build and oversee a compact, results-driven marketing team focused on events, affiliate programs, and performance marketing initiativesIdentify, evaluate, and onboard payment service providers (PSPs) to support reliable fiat on- and off-ramp capabilities in key marketsSet up and operationalize a customer support function, including recruitment, training, and certification of support agents to ensure consistent service standardsDevelop a comprehensive business plan and execution roadmap outlining operational priorities, growth strategies, financial projections, and resource requirementsLead the rollout of a minimum viable product (MVP), conduct user testing, and validate product-market fit prior to full-scale market launchEstablish the technological infrastructure necessary to support core operational processes and policies, including but not limited to fraud prevention, compliance, and risk management systemsDefine key performance indicators (KPIs) for all critical processes and implement a business intelligence (BI) dashboard for executive and board-level reportingMap and define the end-to-end customer journey to optimize user experience, retention, and conversion across all touchpointsRequirementsKey Competences:Strategic and operational planning: ability to structure business models, roadmaps, and execution frameworks aligned with company goalsCrypto-native business development: deep understanding of the crypto ecosystem, including introducing brokers, affiliate models, and fiat/crypto flowsRegulatory and compliance acumen: familiarity with global licensing processes, risk frameworks, and operational controls for crypto exchangesCross-functional team leadership: proven ability to build and manage lean, high-performing teams across sales, marketing, support, and operationsTechnology infrastructure oversight: capability to define, integrate, and govern operational tech stacks supporting KYC, fraud prevention, and customer serviceCustomer experience design: expertise in mapping customer journeys and optimizing UX across digital platformsKPI design and reporting: proficiency in defining process metrics and leading the development of BI dashboards for internal and board-level stakeholdersProduct-market validation: experience in managing MVP launches, interpreting user feedback, and adapting offerings to improve fit and performanceBusiness systems architecture and vendor management: ability to define business requirements, evaluate technical solutions, and oversee the implementation of CRM, client portals, and operational back-office systemsLikely Current Job:Candidates are likely serving as Chief Operating Officer or Senior Operations Leaders within:Centralized cryptocurrency exchanges (CEXs), particularly those with hands-on experience in building support functions, partner channels, and back-office infrastructureCrypto exchanges with global or multi-jurisdictional operations requiring licensing, fiat integrations, and scalable client-facing systemsBenefitsEmployer Value Proposition:Founding team with decades of leadership experience in crypto and FX markets, including deep expertise in liquidity provision and risk managementProven track record with over 100 white-label crypto exchanges successfully deliveredExisting global network of introducing brokers (IBs), enabling immediate distribution and acquisition momentumDeep expertise in China and Southeast Asia markets, offering region-specific insight, partnerships, and go-to-market capabilitiesBest-in-class B2B sales processes and operational know-how across crypto and financial technology sectorsStrategic, founder-facing role with full ownership over operational execution and platform scale-upOpportunity to shape and launch a new exchange brand backed by tested infrastructure and global market ambitionOperated by founders located in clean, regulated jurisdictions, ensuring institutional readiness and long-term compliance integrityClear long-term vision and strategic direction set by the founding team, with a strong commitment to sustainable growth and value creationFully capitalized and execution-ready, eliminating fundraising distraction and enabling immediate go-to-market focusFully functional technical MVP in place, allowing the COO to focus on scaling, partnerships, and operational excellence from day oneEffective, hands-on board and a low-bureaucracy environment enabling fast decision-making and high operational autonomyPotential for equity participation, profit sharing, and meaningful long-term upside aligned with performance and growth milestonesFlexible work model with hybrid or fully remote setup, plus access to the Group's collective expertise and operational support resourcesRealistic path to become Chief Executive Officer (CEO) within 12 months based on performance and strategic alignmentBacked by a larger group with fully staffed finance, customer support, and operations teams providing shared services and scalability from day oneAssessment Process:Candidate evaluation will consist of three interview rounds with board members, focusing on strategic alignment, operational experience, and cultural fit. Each interview will assess core competencies relevant to the role, with particular attention to execution readiness, leadership capabilities, and crypto-specific domain knowledge.