Special Counsel, Product

Circle is a financial technology company at the epicenter of the emerging internet of money, where value can finally travel like other digital data - globally, nearly instantly and less expensively than legacy settlement systems. This ground-breaking new internet layer opens up previously unimaginable possibilities for payments, commerce and markets that can help raise global economic prosperity and enhance inclusion. Our infrastructure - including USDC, a blockchain-based dollar - helps businesses, institutions and developers harness these breakthroughs and capitalize on this major turning point in the evolution of money and technology.
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 and diverse work environment where new ideas are encouraged and everyone is a stakeholder.
What you'll be responsible for:
As Special Counsel, Product, you will partner with the Product, Engineering, and Compliance teams to launch innovative financial infrastructure products, including stablecoins, APIs, and developer tools used by fintechs, banks, and enterprises worldwide, while safeguarding our legal and regulatory posture. You'll draft and negotiate product-related documentation (including terms of service, distribution agreements, and enterprise integrations), prepare regulatory submissions, and deliver practical guidance on U.S. and global payments/crypto frameworks. By proactively identifying and mitigating legal risk, you'll help shape the roadmap for new features and ensure existing Circle Products remain compliant and customer-centric.
What you'll work on:

• Draft, review, and maintain standard product terms, SLAs, and customer-facing documentation for Circle Products.
• Coordinate with Legal and Compliance to identify, assess, and mitigate legal or regulatory risks throughout the product lifecycle, and to ensure such offerings align with licensing frameworks, BSA/AML expectations, and evolving stablecoin regulations.
• Advise global Business Development teams on legal issues related to the development of Circle's products, with a focus on risk mitigation and commercial alignment.
• Partner with Product and Engineering leaders to shape roadmap decisions and deliver practical legal advice on new products.
• Support go-to-market strategy by advising on product terms, pricing models, design considerations, and ecosystem partnerships.
• Track emerging fintech regulations and industry trends related to blockchain technology, translating insights into actionable guidance for cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to internal policy documentation on legal matters affecting commercial and product teams.

What you'll bring to Circle:
Core requirements:

• 7+ years post-JD experience advising on products, complex B2B commercial transactions, and regulatory issues in fintech, payments, or technology sectors.
• Strong drafting and technical skills for technology and financial-services product documentation, including terms of service and customer-facing agreements.
• Must have experience with blockchain or crypto-related legal matters, and a deep understanding of digital assets and payment systems.
• Proven track record supporting global product launches and navigating regulatory and compliance challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex legal and business issues for cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and in good standing.

Preferred requirements:

• In-house counsel experience at a high-growth fintech, crypto firm, or payments platform.
• Experience working across global jurisdictions and with emerging regulations (e.g., MiCA, GENIUS Act, NYDFS Part 200/500).

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:
$180,000 - $237,500
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Circle. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 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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