Chief Operating Officer (COO), Cryptocurrency Exchange

Position: Chief Operating Officer (COO), Cryptocurrency Exchange Reporting Line: Reports directly to the Group Chief Executive Officer (Group CEO). Location: Fully Remote General Purpose: Responsible for launching and operationally scaling the cryptocurrency exchange, ensuring excellence in execution, regulatory compliance, and efficient business operations across all functional areas. Specific Objectives (:12 months): • Establish a global network of introducing brokers/key opinion leaders (IBs/KOLs) and retail partners to drive customer acquisition and platform growth • Define and initiate the licensing roadmap across key jurisdictions to enable compliant operations and future market expansion • Implement convenient and reliable fiat on- and off-ramp solutions tailored to the needs of each operational market • Build and structure a scalable, cross-functional operations team to support growth, compliance, and service excellence • Achieve operational break-even through disciplined cost management, revenue optimization, and strategic scaling • Develop and formalize a clear, differentiated unique value proposition (UVP) to guide positioning, messaging, and go-to-market efforts • Design and deploy a CRM, client member area (for clients and IBs/KOLs), and a back-office system to support commercial operations, partner management, and internal workflows Key Activities: • Establish and enforce internal operational policies and external partner standards to ensure consistent, compliant, and scalable execution • Recruit, structure, and lead a sales team focused on acquiring and managing relationships with crypto Introducing Brokers/Key Opinion Leaders (IBs/KOLs) • Build and oversee a compact, results-driven marketing team focused on events, affiliate programs, and performance marketing initiatives • Identify, evaluate, and onboard payment service providers (PSPs) to support reliable fiat on- and off-ramp capabilities in key markets • Set up and operationalize a customer support function, including recruitment, training, and certification of support agents to ensure consistent service standards • Develop a comprehensive business plan and execution roadmap outlining operational priorities, growth strategies, financial projections, and resource requirements • Lead the rollout of a minimum viable product (MVP), conduct user testing, and validate product-market fit prior to full-scale market launch • Establish the technological infrastructure necessary to support core operational processes and policies, including but not limited to fraud prevention, compliance, and risk management systems • Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for all critical processes and implement a business intelligence (BI) dashboard for executive and board-level reporting • Map and define the end-to-end customer journey to optimize user experience, retention, and conversion across all touchpoints Requirements Key Competences: • Strategic and operational planning: ability to structure business models, roadmaps, and execution frameworks aligned with company goals • Crypto-native business development: deep understanding of the crypto ecosystem, including introducing brokers, affiliate models, and fiat/crypto flows • Regulatory and compliance acumen: familiarity with global licensing processes, risk frameworks, and operational controls for crypto exchanges • Cross-functional team leadership: proven ability to build and manage lean, high-performing teams across sales, marketing, support, and operations • Technology infrastructure oversight: capability to define, integrate, and govern operational tech stacks supporting KYC, fraud prevention, and customer service • Customer experience design: expertise in mapping customer journeys and optimizing UX across digital platforms • KPI design and reporting: proficiency in defining process metrics and leading the development of BI dashboards for internal and board-level stakeholders • Product-market validation: experience in managing MVP launches, interpreting user feedback, and adapting offerings to improve fit and performance • Business systems architecture and vendor management: ability to define business requirements, evaluate technical solutions, and oversee the implementation of CRM, client portals, and operational back-office systems Likely Current Job: Candidates are likely serving as Chief Operating Officer or Senior Operations Leaders within: • Centralized cryptocurrency exchanges (CEXs), particularly those with hands-on experience in building support functions, partner channels, and back-office infrastructure • Crypto exchanges with global or multi-jurisdictional operations requiring licensing, fiat integrations, and scalable client-facing systems Benefits Employer Value Proposition: • Founding team with decades of leadership experience in crypto and FX markets, including deep expertise in liquidity provision and risk management • Proven track record with over 100 white-label crypto exchanges successfully delivered • Existing global network of introducing brokers (IBs), enabling immediate distribution and acquisition momentum • Deep expertise in China and Southeast Asia markets, offering region-specific insight, partnerships, and go-to-market capabilities • Best-in-class B2B sales processes and operational know-how across crypto and financial technology sectors • Strategic, founder-facing role with full ownership over operational execution and platform scale-up • Opportunity to shape and launch a new exchange brand backed by tested infrastructure and global market ambition • Operated by founders located in clean, regulated jurisdictions, ensuring institutional readiness and long-term compliance integrity • Clear long-term vision and strategic direction set by the founding team, with a strong commitment to sustainable growth and value creation • Fully capitalized and execution-ready, eliminating fundraising distraction and enabling immediate go-to-market focus • Fully functional technical MVP in place, allowing the COO to focus on scaling, partnerships, and operational excellence from day one • Effective, hands-on board and a low-bureaucracy environment enabling fast decision-making and high operational autonomy • Potential for equity participation, profit sharing, and meaningful long-term upside aligned with performance and growth milestones • Flexible work model with hybrid or fully remote setup, plus access to the Group's collective expertise and operational support resources • Realistic path to become Chief Executive Officer (CEO) within 12 months based on performance and strategic alignment • Backed by a larger group with fully staffed finance, customer support, and operations teams providing shared services and scalability from day one Assessment Process: Candidate evaluation will consist of three interview rounds with board members, focusing on strategic alignment, operational experience, and cultural fit. Each interview will assess core competencies relevant to the role, with particular attention to execution readiness, leadership capabilities, and crypto-specific domain knowledge.