Role overview

Coinbase is establishing its regulated presence in the Middle East, and this Senior Executive Officer role is central to that expansion. You will lead Coinbase’s Abu Dhabi operations under ADGM, driving the company’s regional crypto strategy while building the operational foundation for a growing business in one of the world’s most strategically important financial centers.

Key responsibilities

Build and lead the locally based Abu Dhabi team to manage Coinbase’s Middle East crypto business and ADGM legal entity while engaging senior regulators, clients, and industry stakeholders.
Drive the development and execution of Coinbase’s UAE crypto strategy in collaboration with the Dubai and VARA teams.
Develop operational capacity to expand Coinbase’s tokenization business and adjacent opportunities under ADGM.
Oversee strategic budgeting and resourcing to optimize business impact and ensure alignment with local and global financial frameworks.
Establish robust governance structures, including controls, compliance programs, and ethical leadership practices that align local operations with global standards.
Lead ongoing engagement with ADGM and FSRA, cultivating trusted relationships with senior regulators and key external stakeholders.
Champion Coinbase’s culture within the entity, ensuring customer interests are appropriately prioritized and strategy aligns with Coinbase’s global business model.

Requirements

At least seven years of senior-level experience in financial services, including securities expertise.
Deep understanding of ADGM and FSRA regulatory requirements covering best execution, client assets, custody, market conduct regulations, and AML frameworks.
Proven track record in operational oversight, including development and monitoring of policies, procedures, and day-to-day business activities.
Strong understanding of how regulated financial services functions operate, including Compliance, Finance, Risk, Treasury, Audit, and Outsourcing.
Demonstrated ability to influence and drive alignment across senior, peer, and junior stakeholders regionally and globally, with sound judgment in assessing and escalating risk.
Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with regulators, specifically ADGM and FSRA.
Familiarity with the crypto and Web3 landscape, including tokenization, DeFi, and digital asset markets.

What makes this role worth considering

Coinbase operates as a remote-first company with quarterly in-person working sessions called “surges” that bring teams together for intensive collaboration. The role offers the opportunity to shape how crypto capital markets develop in the Middle East while working alongside a team committed to increasing economic freedom through cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.