Compliance Officer - Malta

About us:

BVNK provides modern payment infrastructure for businesses. We unify banks and blockchains in a single platform. With BVNK, businesses can send and receive stablecoin payments, convert between currencies, and add stablecoin payments to their checkout. Using our flexible platform, and robust global licensing and compliance expertise, innovators can launch new payment products quickly and compliantly.

We are a diverse team spread across the UK, Europe, South Africa, the US, and APAC, with a shared belief that all payment flows will interact with crypto in the coming decade, and BVNK will be at the forefront of this transformation of the financial system. We have raised $50M in Series B funding from top investors including Haun Ventures, Tiger Global, and Coinbase Ventures, and we're looking for smart, ambitious people to help us build the next generation of payments. 

We're incredibly honored to have made Newsweek's list of The Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces 2 years running (2023 and 2024) and to have been recognized by LinkedIn as one of the Top 20 Startups in the UK in 2024.

About this role in the team:

We’re looking for a Compliance Officer in Malta to lead the regulatory and compliance efforts for our operations within the jurisdiction. You will be responsible for ensuring that BVNK remains in full compliance with the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) regulations while managing the company’s regulatory obligations effectively.

As the compliance officer, you will lead BVNK’s efforts to maintain E-Money provider status, manage anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks, and work on regulatory filings. Your role will be critical in supporting the business as we scale operations in Malta and expand globally, navigating the complexities of regulatory obligations.

This position requires deep knowledge of Maltese financial regulations, the EU regulatory framework, and blockchain-specific legal requirements, especially the MiCA Regulation. You will play a central role in the company’s relationship with the MFSA and other regulatory bodies, ensuring all business activities are compliant with both local and international standards.

Key Areas of Responsibilities:

Regulatory Oversight:

• Act as the Designated Compliance Officer and Approved Person with the MFSA for BVNK's operations in Malta, ensuring compliance with all relevant financial regulations.
• Oversee BVNK's adherence to E-Money License requirements and facilitate any required regulatory filings, including AML-related reports and periodic audits with MFSA.
• Lead the company’s interactions with regulatory authorities in Malta, and ensure that all regulatory requirements are met to avoid any breaches or penalties.

Compliance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive monitoring framework for compliance, ensuring that all business activities, including cryptocurrency transactions, are compliant with MFSA standards.
• Ensure that internal controls and processes are in place to detect and prevent suspicious activities, including the timely investigation of internal Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
• Prepare quarterly and annual compliance reports to the Board of Directors and senior management, highlighting areas of risk, compliance metrics, and any regulatory changes that may impact operations.

Training and Awareness:

• Develop and deliver training programs for employees at all levels to raise awareness of regulatory obligations, especially in relation to AML, KYC (Know Your Customer), and other compliance matters.
• Serve as the point of contact for employees regarding compliance-related questions, providing guidance on how to apply regulatory requirements in day-to-day operations.

Regulatory Liaison and External Relations:

• Represent BVNK in its dealings with the MFSA and other relevant regulators, ensuring timely and accurate responses to regulatory inquiries and audits.
• Assist with the preparation of documentation for regulatory licensing applications, particularly in relation to cryptocurrency-related activities, e-money services, and any other applicable licenses.
• Work with external legal counsel and compliance consultants when necessary to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring that BVNK remains ahead of regulatory changes.

Strategic Compliance Planning:

• Assist in formulating and implementing a compliance strategy that allows BVNK to scale in a regulatory-compliant manner, particularly in new jurisdictions.
• Work closely with the senior leadership team to align business strategies with compliance requirements, particularly in product development and market expansion.
• Contribute to the development of business continuity and risk management plans, ensuring that compliance risk is properly assessed and mitigated.

What we need from you:

• Extensive experience in a compliance officer role within a regulated financial services environment, ideally within Malta and with a strong understanding of the MFSA regulatory framework.
• In-depth knowledge of the Maltese regulatory framework, especially in relation to E-Money Institutions, AML/CTF regulations, and the crypto-asset sector.
• Proven experience acting as an Approved Person or similar with a regulatory authority (MFSA, FCA, etc.).
• Demonstrable expertise in preparing and submitting regulatory reports, including AML reports, transaction monitoring reports, and regulatory filings.
• Experience working with blockchain and crypto-based financial products and services, particularly with regard to licensing requirements and AML regulations.
• Strong ability to translate complex regulatory issues into actionable compliance strategies for various teams within the organization.
• Highly analytical skills with a keen attention to detail, especially in the interpretation of complex financial regulations and their application in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly present regulatory findings to senior management, regulatory bodies, and internal teams.
• Fluency in both Maltese and English is highly desirable.

What you can expect from us:

• Fair and competitive salary at every stage of your growth
• Meaningful ownership in the business through our employee option scheme
• Flexible working hours, with hybrid working at its heart
• A culture built on passionate growth-minded people
• A flexible approach to holiday
• Opportunities to travel to our offices around the world
• An open and creative environment where you can help us define the future of BVNK, its culture, and its opportunity sets

At BVNK, we are focused on building a diverse and inclusive team. While you may not meet all of our requirements, we’d encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of our expectations. You may be a great fit for this role or another role in our team.