
Head of Americas Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
About Us
OpenFX is on a mission to move money as freely as data, unrestricted by time zones, banking hours, or legacy systems. We are building the infrastructure that will power the next generation of cross-border payment systems for institutions. The team's execution has been exceptional, and we're scaling at a remarkable pace. Our stellar early team comes with experience in companies like J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, FalconX, Paypal, Affirm, Polygon, Kraken, Nium & others. We’re backed by Accel, Lightspeed, NfX and other top-tier investors.
Role Overview
Key Responsibilities:
Licensing Acquisition & Maintenance
- Complete execution of pending US state money transmitter license (MTL) applications: Complete preparation, coordination, and submission of MTL applications across all required US states, managing multiple applications simultaneously through approval
- Drive scoping and execution of additional license applications in the Americas: Prepare and submit Money Services Business (MSB) registration in Canada, obtain required U.S. crypto/virtual currency licenses, and secure any required licenses across key Latin American markets.
- Coordinate with external counsel and consultants: Manage relationships with licensing consultants and outside counsel to ensure high-quality, cost-effective support aligned with business needs
- Manage license maintenance activities: Oversee all post-licensing obligations including renewals, amendments, quarterly/annual reporting, surety bond management, net worth requirements, and permissible investment compliance
- Serve as primary regulatory contact: Act as OpenFX's main point of contact with state banking departments, FinCEN, and other US regulators, as well as FINTRAC (Canada) and Latin American financial authorities
- Build and maintain regulator relationships: Establish positive, proactive relationships with key regulatory bodies, positioning OpenFX as a compliant and transparent operator
- Manage regulatory inquiries and examinations: Lead preparations for and responses to regulatory examinations, audits, inquiries, and requests for information from state and federal regulators
- Prepare regulatory submissions: Draft, review, and submit all regulatory filings, notifications, reports, and correspondence with accuracy and within required timelines
- Prepare and manage regulatory reports and filings: Coordinate with Finance and other internal stakeholders to submit quarterly, semi-annual, and annual financial and operational reports required under various licenses
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Support market expansion: Work with internal teams to identify regulatory requirements for new markets and develop paths to licensure
- Maintain policies and procedures: Review and update regulatory policies, procedures, and compliance manuals to reflect current requirements
- Build and develop the team: As the business scales, recruit and manage licensing and regulatory professionals
What we are looking for
Required Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in regulatory licensing, regulatory affairs, or regulatory compliance within financial services, fintech, or payments companies
- Proven track record of successfully obtaining and maintaining financial services licenses, particularly US state money transmitter licenses
- Strong knowledge of US state money transmission regulatory frameworks, including application processes, surety bond requirements, net worth rules, and examination procedures
- Regulatory filing expertise: Demonstrated experience preparing and submitting regulatory reports, notifications, and responses to regulatory inquiries
- Regulator relationship experience: Track record of successfully interfacing with state banking departments, FinCEN, and other financial regulators
- Exceptional project management skills: Ability to manage multiple complex, time-sensitive licensing applications and compliance obligations simultaneously
- Outstanding written communication skills: Experience drafting regulatory submissions, applications, policies, and correspondence to regulators
- Meticulous attention to detail: Strong analytical skills with ability to navigate complex regulatory requirements and ensure accuracy in all submissions
- Collaborative approach: Commitment to teamwork and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external advisors
- Bachelor's degree required; JD preferred
What helps you stand out:
- Experience in cross-border payments, FX, or crypto industries
- Experience with crypto/digital asset licensing (e.g., NY BitLicense, state virtual currency licenses)
- Experience with international licensing (Canada MSB registration, Latin American licenses)
- Prior work at a high-growth fintech or payments startup managing rapid licensing expansion
- Existing relationships with state regulators, CSBS, or Money Transmitter Regulators Association (MTRA)
- Familiarity with RegTech tools and automation for regulatory compliance and reportin
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Impact: Own the licensing function at a critical growth stage and directly enable business expansion
- Growth: Opportunity to build a function and help scale a successful high-growth company
- Learning: Opportunity to work in a fast-paced startup at the forefront of fintech innovation.
- Culture: Collaborative team environment with emphasis on personal and professional growth
- Mission: Help build the future of global financial infrastructure
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
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