Special Counsel, Digital Assets

Circle (NYSE: CRCL) is one of the world's leading internet financial platform companies, building the foundation of a more open, global economy through digital assets, payment applications, and programmable blockchain infrastructure. Circle's platform includes the world's largest regulated stablecoin network anchored by USDC, Circle Payments Network for global money movement, and Arc, an enterprise-grade blockchain designed to become the Economic OS for the internet. Enterprises, financial institutions, and developers use Circle to power trusted, internet-scale financial innovation. Learn more at circle.com .
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:
As Special Counsel, Digital Assets at Circle, you will serve as a senior individual contributor within the Legal team and a recognized subject matter expert supporting the development of innovative digital asset and platform capabilities. You will partner closely with Product, Engineering, Compliance, Risk, and Policy teams to provide clear, business-oriented legal guidance across asset issuance, custody models, tokenized financial infrastructure, and emerging AI-enabled product features.
You will independently lead complex legal workstreams across the product lifecycle-from early concept design through launch-identifying regulatory risks, structuring compliant solutions, and enabling responsible innovation. This role requires deep expertise in fintech and digital assets, strong systems-level thinking, and the ability to translate evolving regulatory frameworks into practical, scalable guidance that supports Circle's growth and long-term strategy.
What you'll work on:

• Advise on legal structures and regulatory considerations related to digital asset issuance, tokenized assets, custody frameworks, and on-chain settlement models.
• Partner with Product and Engineering to support the design and launch of new platform features, including AI-enabled tools that interact with digital assets or financial infrastructure.
• Assess legal and regulatory implications of incorporating artificial intelligence into asset lifecycle management, risk scoring, compliance automation, or customer-facing product experiences.
• Analyze global regulatory developments across crypto, AI governance, and financial services, and translate them into actionable guidance for internal stakeholders.
• Independently lead legal support for complex product initiatives, balancing innovation, risk mitigation, and time-to-market considerations.
• Draft and review product-related agreements, disclosures, policies, and terms of use related to digital asset issuance and distribution.
• Identify legal risks early in roadmap planning and propose practical mitigation strategies that preserve velocity while protecting the business.

What you'll bring to Circle:
Core Requirements

• 7+ years of legal experience, including experience at a leading law firm and/or in-house at a fintech, crypto, or financial services company.
• Deep experience advising on digital asset products, tokenized financial infrastructure, or blockchain-based systems.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the launch of complex financial or crypto products in regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks impacting digital assets and emerging AI-enabled financial technologies.
• Ability to independently scope and lead high-impact legal initiatives across cross-functional teams.
• Experience translating complex regulatory concepts into clear, practical product guidance.
• Strong business judgment and ability to navigate ambiguity in rapidly evolving technical environments.
• JD or equivalent with active membership in at least one U.S. state bar.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience advising on cross-border product launches or global regulatory coordination.
• Experience supporting DeFi, smart contracts, or programmable asset architectures.
• Familiarity with AI governance frameworks, model risk considerations, or regulatory guidance related to AI in financial services.

Circle is on a mission to create an inclusive financial future, with transparency at our core. We consider a wide variety of elements when crafting our compensation ranges and total compensation packages.
Starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to: relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, and other business and organizational needs. Please note that compensation ranges may differ for candidates in other locations.
Base Pay Range: $200,000 - $262,500
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, or any other protected status required by the laws in the locations where we hire. Additionally, Circle participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.
Should you require accommodations or assistance in our interview process because of a disability, please reach out to [email protected] for support. We respect your privacy and will connect with you separately from our interview process to accommodate your needs.
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