About Sphere

Sphere is revolutionizing global money movement by building modern financial rails with digital dollars, making transactions simple, affordable, and accessible worldwide. Through our frontend applications, APIs, low-level bank messaging optimizations, and liquidity infrastructure, businesses in emerging markets can send money across borders at scale — without depending on foreign capital or simply speaking the right languages. We combine frontier technology like stablecoins and zero-knowledge proofs with traditional banking, payments, and foreign exchange infrastructure to make global payments settle in minutes.

We’re a Seed+ startup globally distributed across the US, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Portugal, and the Caribbean. We’ve raised over $7m from some of the best high-frequency trading and venture firms in the world, including TCG, Jump, Hudson River Trading, and Coinbase; as well as angels from companies like Stripe, PayPal, Brex, Visa, Revolut, Grab, Solana, Circle, and JPMorgan Chase. Our team has previously built financial infrastructure at some of the world’s leading companies (Coinbase, Vanguard, Franklin Templeton, Chainalysis, Wells Fargo) as well as at startups and accelerators like YCombinator. We’re spending the best years of our lives building Sphere, driven by a shared belief in our mission to enhance human prosperity through cutting-edge technology, creating a modern SWIFT for the 21st century and beyond.

Role Overview

We're on a mission to redefine global financial services to drive economic growth and prosperity through groundbreaking innovation in web3, cross-border payments, and inclusive, safe, and sound financial services. We are seeking an inspired and highly-driven Associate Counsel with at least 3 years of relevant experience in cross-border web3 financial services and payments. In this generalist role reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer, you will advise on a diverse range of legal matters, including regulatory affairs and compliance, licensing, commercial contracts, new product and other initiatives, and corporate affairs to enable transformative innovation and sustainable growth. This is your opportunity to join a visionary team and shape the legal future of a fast-growing startup that’s setting new standards.

What You’ll Do

• Legal Advisory:

  • Serve as a trusted advisor on regulatory, licensing, commercial, product, and corporate matters, delivering actionable insights to both internal and external stakeholders.

• Contract Management:

  • Negotiate, coordinate, and draft a variety of agreements that drive our business forward.

  • Develop and continuously refine contract templates to streamline negotiations and boost operational efficiency.

• Regulatory Support & Strategy:

  • Lead regulatory affairs initiatives and perform comprehensive legal analyses on new initiatives and opportunities.

  • Analyze and research global regulatory licensing requirements, including money services business, money transmitter, and trust charter regulatory requirements to craft licensing strategies that unlock new markets, fuel business development, and expand our regulatory footprint.

  • Establish and maintain legal and regulatory inventory of applicable requirements

  • Drive continuous improvements in legal processes, policies, and contract management to keep Sphere at the cutting edge.

• Process Innovation & Technology Integration:

  • Build and streamline legal processes using cutting-edge technology to scale business development, growth, and innovation.

  • Draft policies, procedures, and other legal and regulatory compliance documents to support operational excellence.

  • Research and procure advanced legal tools and technology to enhance and scale our legal function.

• Team Building & Strategic Impact:

  • Play a pivotal role in establishing and scaling Sphere’s legal function from the ground up.

  • Level-up the Company’s legal, regulatory and compliance IQ by developing and administering informative, relevant and timely training

  • Collaborate cross-functionally to drive strategic legal initiatives that directly impact Sphere’s growth and innovation trajectory.

Impact & Growth Opportunities

• Shape the Future:

  • Work side-by-side with the Chief Legal Officer to directly influence Sphere’s legal strategy, becoming a key architect of our pioneering legal framework.

• Accelerate Your Career:

  • Experience unparalleled growth and learning opportunities in an environment that champions creativity, ambition, and innovation.

  • Take on a challenging role with a clear trajectory for career advancement and professional development.

• Be a Trailblazer:

  • Gain exposure to the forefront of financial services, crypto payments, and evolving regulatory landscapes.

  • Join a team of forward-thinkers dedicated to transforming the industry and making a lasting impact.

Requirements

• Education & Licensing:

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from a top 14 accredited law school.

  • Licensed in the U.S. and in good standing with a state bar.

• Experience:

  • Minimum of 3 years of relevant legal experience in the financial services crypto payments industry obtained at a law firm, regulatory agency, or web3 financial services company.

• Expertise:

  • Experience with corporate formation, filings and registrations.

  • Understanding of banking-as-a-service partnership models, agreements and account types (e.g., FBO versus MSB custody).

  • Understanding of customary contract terms and industry standards.

  • Understanding of key laws and regulations applicable to fintech, payments, and virtual currency.

  • Proven expertise in AML/CTF and sanctions regulations (e.g., Bank Secrecy Act, FinCEN guidelines, FATF recommendations, OFAC sanctions).

  • Knowledge of privacy regulations and data protection (e.g., GLBA, GDPR, CCPA, and emerging state-level privacy laws).

  • Familiarity with consumer/customer protection frameworks (e.g., Regulation E, CFPB guidelines, Dodd-Frank, and FTC consumer provisions).

  • Strong grasp of cybersecurity standards and information security best practices (e.g., NIST Cybersecurity Framework, GLBA, and NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation).

  • Experience in third-party risk management, including oversight of vendor and partner relationships.

  • Proven experience navigating licensing requirements, including Money Transmitter Licensing, the Money Transmitter Modernization Act, and trust charter regulatory requirements.

  • Familiarity with securities and derivatives regulations (e.g., SEC guidelines, Securities Act of 1933 & 1934, CFTC guidelines) and emerging frameworks (e.g., PSD2, AMLD5/AMLD6, MiCA).

• Skills:

  • Strong research and writing skills, with the ability to craft clear, persuasive legal documents and analyses without need for extensive revisions.

  • Laser attention to detail and precision.

  • Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, think resourcefully, and uphold the highest standards of work ethic and integrity.

  • Ability to meet aggressive deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and remain responsive across multiple communication channels.

If you’re ready to drive innovation, shape the legal future of a groundbreaking startup, and unlock new markets with your expertise, Sphere invites you to join our visionary team. Apply now and become part of a transformative journey that’s redefining global financial services.