Role: General Counsel & Head of Legal (Blockchain, Digital Assets, Payments & Financial Infrastructure)

Launch Legends•Cheyenne, WY

About The Position

Autheo is building the sovereign Layer-0 Operating System and Layer-1 blockchain that will power the next generation of decentralized infrastructure, DePIN networks, AI agents, and enterprise Web3 adoption — with a strategic vision to integrate these capabilities with regulated traditional financial services through an OCC national trust bank charter, compliant payments (ISO 20022), and digital asset custody solutions. As a part-time General Counsel & Head of Legal in an equity-based cofounder role, you will serve as the chief legal strategist and compliance architect. You will navigate the complex global regulatory landscape to safeguard our innovative technologies while enabling scalable business and banking integrations. You will provide expert counsel on securities law, digital asset classifications, payments systems, digital asset custody, data privacy, intellectual property protection for post-quantum cryptography and AI systems, corporate governance for our growing equity cofounder network, and strategic partnerships. You will also lead legal strategy and documentation in direct support of our OCC charter application and regulated financial infrastructure build-out. This role is critical to ensuring Autheo operates at the forefront of legal innovation at the intersection of blockchain and regulated finance while mitigating risks in an evolving regulatory environment.

Requirements

JD from a top-tier law school with active bar membership in at least one US jurisdiction (additional international qualifications or bar admissions a plus).
8+ years of progressive legal experience, with significant focus (4+ years) on cryptocurrency, blockchain, DeFi, Web3 technologies, and/or fintech, payments, digital assets, or financial services law.
Proven track record advising on token launches, securities law compliance (Howey test, Reg D, Reg A+, etc.), digital asset regulations, payments compliance, and/or supporting bank charter, trust company, or similar regulated financial applications.
Deep expertise in digital asset taxation, data privacy (GDPR/CCPA), payments systems, digital asset custody, AML/KYC frameworks, and IP law in emerging tech.
Strategic legal thinker who excels at balancing bold innovation with rigorous risk management and regulatory compliance.
Collaborative leader and excellent communicator capable of working seamlessly across technical, product, compliance, banking strategy, and executive teams.
High integrity, sound judgment, and deep commitment to ethical practices in the rapidly evolving Web3 and regulated financial services spaces.

Nice To Haves

Prior in-house General Counsel, Head of Legal, or senior legal leadership role at a blockchain/crypto company, fintech, payments provider, or regulated financial institution (bank, trust company, or broker-dealer).
Direct experience with DePIN, Layer-1 protocols, enterprise blockchain adoption, OCC charter applications, or federal banking regulatory processes.
Established network with regulators, policymakers, crypto/fintech legal specialists, or banking compliance experts.
Publications, speaking engagements, or thought leadership in blockchain law, fintech regulation, digital assets, or payments.

Responsibilities

Lead development of global compliance frameworks for Layer-1 blockchain operations, DePIN infrastructure, tokenomics, decentralized identity (AutheoID), payments, and digital asset custody solutions.
Advise on US and international regulations including SEC, CFTC, FinCEN (AML/KYC/OFAC), OCC, GDPR, and emerging crypto/fintech legislation.
Provide direct legal support for the OCC national trust bank charter application in close coordination with banking strategy and executive leadership. Design licensing strategies (VASP, MSB, MTL, trust company) and proactive regulatory engagement plans across key jurisdictions.
Draft, review, and negotiate complex agreements for strategic partnerships, vendor contracts, equity/token allocations, developer ecosystem programs, custody agreements, and financial services integrations.
Establish and maintain robust corporate governance structures supporting nearly 100+ equity cofounders, potential banking subsidiary formation, and future growth.
Protect intellectual property for proprietary blockchain execution, FHE, zk-proofs, AI integration technologies, and financial infrastructure innovations.
Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks across product development, token launches, enterprise integrations, payments platforms, and custody operations.
Oversee dispute resolution, litigation strategy (proactive and defensive), and insurance programs.
Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, product, compliance, banking strategy, and executive teams to embed “legal-by-design” and “compliance-by-design” principles into the core platform and financial service offerings.
Represent Autheo in regulatory forums, industry associations, policy discussions, and engagements with banking and financial regulators.
Contribute to whitepapers, publications, and thought leadership on blockchain governance, legal frameworks for digital assets and payments, and compliant DeFi models.
Mentor the team on legal best practices and foster a culture of proactive compliance excellence.