Senior Executive Officer, ADGM

Role Overview

Senior Executive Officer, ADGM at Coinbase, based in Abu Dhabi.

Company Overview

Coinbase is building its regulated presence in the Middle East. This role sits at the center of that expansion and is a rare opportunity to shape how crypto capital markets develop in one of the world's most strategically important financial centers. Coinbase is a remote-first, but not remote-only company. Expect to get together quarterly for intense in-person working sessions called "surges."

Role Purpose

Drive Coinbase's regional crypto strategy, manage critical regulatory relationships, and build the operational foundation for the company's growing business in the United Arab Emirates.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Building

• Build and lead the locally based Abu Dhabi team, managing Coinbase's Middle East crypto business and ADGM legal entity.

Strategy & Business Development

• Drive the development and execution of Coinbase's UAE crypto strategy in close collaboration with the Dubai/VARA team.
• Develop operational capacity to grow Coinbase's tokenization business and adjacent opportunities under ADGM.

Governance & Compliance

• Establish robust governance structures, including controls, compliance programs, and ethical leadership practices that align local operations with global standards.
• Oversee strategic budgeting and resourcing to optimize business impact and ensure alignment with local and global financial frameworks.

Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement

• Engage senior regulators, clients, and industry stakeholders.
• Lead ongoing engagement with ADGM and FSRA, cultivating trusted relationships with senior regulators and key external stakeholders.

Culture & Alignment

• Champion Coinbase's culture within the entity, ensuring customer interests are appropriately prioritized and strategy aligns with Coinbase's global business model.

Qualifications & Experience

• 7+ years of senior-level experience in financial services, including experience with securities.
• Deep understanding of ADGM/FSRA regulatory requirements covering best execution, client assets, custody, market conduct (FSMR, COBS, MIR), and AML frameworks.
• Proven track record in operational oversight, including policies and procedures development and monitoring of day-to-day business activities.
• Strong understanding of how regulated financial services functions operate (Compliance, Finance, Risk, Treasury, Audit, Outsourcing).
• Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with regulators, specifically ADGM and FSRA.
• Familiarity with the crypto/Web3 landscape, including tokenization, DeFi, and digital asset markets.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive alignment across senior, peer, and junior stakeholders regionally and globally.
• Sound judgment in assessing and escalating risk, with excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Utilizes AI responsibly, maintaining human oversight to deliver business-ready outputs and drive measurable improvements in workflow efficiency, cost, and quality.

Additional Information

• Annual base salary range: 730,000 AED–730,000 AED (excluding equity and bonus).
• Total compensation may include equity, bonus eligibility, and benefits (medical, dental, and vision).
• Coinbase is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
• Applicants with criminal histories will be considered consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation, email your request and contact information to accommodations[at]coinbase.com.