Compliance Analyst

About BitGo MENA

BitGo is a major provider of digital asset infrastructure, offering custody, wallets, staking, trading, financing, and settlement services from regulated cold storage. Established in 2013, the company helps clients operate safely in the digital asset ecosystem and supports thousands of institutions, major industry brands, exchanges, platforms, and millions of retail investors around the world. BitGo is recognized as the largest independent digital asset custodian and staking provider globally, and it processes a substantial share of Bitcoin network activity.

Role Overview

BitGo MENA is hiring an experienced Compliance Analyst to take on the responsibilities of Compliance Officer (CO) and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) under the rules of the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). This position carries end-to-end ownership of the compliance and AML/CFT framework for the MENA business, with responsibility for regulatory alignment, governance support, and risk oversight.

Regulatory and Governance Responsibilities

• Serve as the designated Compliance Officer and MLRO for a VARA-regulated entity.
• Act as the main contact person for VARA-related communication.
• Ensure the business remains compliant with VARA rulebooks covering compliance and risk management, custody, and market conduct.
• Own and coordinate regulatory filings and submissions.
• Support the Board and senior leadership with compliance updates, governance reporting, and changes in regulation.

AML/CFT and Financial Crime Oversight

• Build, maintain, and improve the AML/CFT framework in line with UAE federal AML laws, FATF guidance, and the VARA AML Rulebook.
• Handle MLRO duties, including oversight of transaction monitoring and investigation activity.
• Prepare and submit Suspicious Activity Reports through goAML.
• Manage sanctions screening and the escalation process for potential issues.
• Review and strengthen the Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment and Business Risk Assessment processes.

Compliance Program and Controls

• Design, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for AML/CFT, market abuse, market conduct, client onboarding, KYC/CDD/EDD, and wider operational compliance.
• Track the effectiveness of controls and drive remediation for any identified weaknesses or gaps.
• Coordinate audits and regulatory reviews, including AML audits and VARA-related examinations.
• Run compliance testing and monitoring activities on an ongoing basis.

Product and Operational Compliance

• Provide compliance input on broker-dealer operations, including riskless principal activity and settlement flows.
• Review new products and services, including token listings, from a regulatory perspective.
• Assess compliance implications of new business initiatives and give practical guidance to internal teams.

Stakeholder Support and Advisory

• Act as a dependable advisor to senior management and global stakeholders.
• Partner with Legal, Risk, Operations, and Product teams to integrate compliance into day-to-day business processes.
• Deliver training and awareness sessions on compliance and AML topics across the organization.

Why Join BitGo

BitGo offers the chance to work with a team focused on innovation, ownership, craftsmanship, open communication, and execution. The environment is suited to professionals who enjoy solving complex problems and contributing to the transformation of financial markets.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary along with bonus and stock options.
• Fully paid health insurance for employees and dependents.
• Sponsored work visas.
• Paid parental leave and paid vacation.
• Paid lunches and snacks.
• Collaborative colleagues and a fast-moving startup culture.
• Benefits may differ depending on location.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in compliance, AML, or financial crime, preferably in financial services, fintech, or virtual assets.
• Prior experience acting in, or supporting, a Compliance Officer and/or MLRO role.
• Good working knowledge of KYC/CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, and sanctions compliance.
• Experience in the virtual assets, crypto, or blockchain sector is a plus.
• Familiarity with blockchain analytics tools such as Elliptic or TRM Labs is desirable.
• Professional certifications are preferred.
• Experience in a regulated VASP environment under VARA or comparable regulators such as ADGM or FSRA is an advantage.

Additional Information

This role is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is structured as a full-time onsite position. The employer is seeking a candidate who can operate in a regulated digital asset environment and take ownership of compliance leadership duties for the MENA entity.

About the Industry

Cryptocurrencies are reshaping financial services at pace, and this role offers the opportunity to contribute to that change from a compliance and regulatory leadership perspective.