Senior Counsel - Commercial (Institutional)

Kraken

8d•Remote

About The Position

Building the Future of Crypto Our Krakenites are a world-class team with crypto conviction, united by our desire to discover and unlock the potential of crypto and blockchain technology. What makes us different? Kraken is a mission-focused company rooted in crypto values. As a Krakenite, you’ll join us on our mission to accelerate the global adoption of crypto, so that everyone can achieve financial freedom and inclusion. For over a decade, Kraken’s focus on our mission and crypto ethos has attracted many of the most talented crypto experts in the world. Before you apply, please read the Kraken Culture page to learn more about our internal culture, values, and mission. We also expect candidates to familiarize themselves with the Kraken app. Learn how to create a Kraken account here. As a fully remote company, we have Krakenites in 70+ countries who speak over 50 languages. Krakenites are industry pioneers who develop premium crypto products for experienced traders, institutions, and newcomers to the space. Kraken is committed to industry-leading security, crypto education, and world-class client support through our products like Kraken Pro, Desktop, Wallet, and Kraken Futures. Become a Krakenite and build the future of crypto! Proof of work The team The Commercial Legal team is at the forefront of Kraken’s global business operations, serving as strategic legal partners across all departments. This lean and dynamic group is responsible for managing a wide range of commercial contracts and supporting the company in its institutional, partnerships, procurement, licensing, and vendor relationships. The team plays a key role in enabling Kraken’s rapid innovation and expansion while protecting the business from legal and regulatory risks. As Sr. Counsel - Commercial (Institutional), you will serve as Kraken’s lead commercial lawyer for institutional products and relationships. Reporting directly to the Head of Commercial Legal, you will partner closely with Product, Treasury, Finance, Engineering, and Regulatory teams to structure, launch, and negotiate novel institutional offerings.

Requirements

Admission to practice law in any State in the United States
8+ years of relevant experience negotiating prime brokerage, OTC, derivatives, and other financial services and financial product transactions, ideally both in-house and at a top law firm.
Demonstrated comfort negotiating across from sophisticated institutional counterparties, including banks and large asset managers.
Significant experience drafting, revising, and negotiating complex institutional commercial contracts, such as loan and ISDA documentation, commercial partnership agreements, prime brokerage documentation, and other treasury/financing contracts.
Solid understanding of secured financing, collateral management, and derivatives products.
Demonstrated knowledge of and passion for cryptocurrency and digital markets.
A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset.
An opportunity-making attitude, using the law to increase the company’s optionality, not decrease it.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in regulated financial services (e.g., at a bank, representing banking clients, or negotiating regularly with banks or large asset managers).
Familiarity with institutional asset management, prime brokerage, or fund-level trading relationships.
Familiarity with corporate treasury operations, cash-management products, and liquidity solutions.

Responsibilities

Lead the negotiation, drafting, and ongoing management of prime brokerage (trading and custody) agreements, ISDA Master Agreements, Credit Support Annexes, and related documentation with banks and other institutional counterparties.
Help scale Kraken’s commercial lending business by standardizing documentation and driving efficient, risk-appropriate negotiations of loan agreements, term sheets, and security documentation.
Partner closely with Treasury, Finance, and OTC teams on day-to-day derivatives trading, cash management, FX, and liquidity facilities, ensuring robust, scalable documentation and collateral frameworks.
Structure, draft, and negotiate complex commercial agreements with key institutional and high-net-worth partners and clients.
Lead the negotiation of financing and other balance-sheet-impacting documentation in close collaboration with Finance and Treasury.
Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, translating complex legal terms into clear business implications and actionable guidance.
Use a highly-regulated and well-resourced environment to your strategic commercial advantage.
Build and continuously improve commercial legal processes that balance speed, flexibility, and risk management, including leveraging AI and automation tools to increase deal velocity and consistency.

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