Vice President, Digital Currency Compliance Advisory

Mastercard•Purchase, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President, Digital Currency Compliance Advisory is a senior leadership position within the Global Ethics and Compliance team. You will serve as the primary subject matter expert for Mastercard’s evolving digital asset, stablecoin, and blockchain initiatives. This role is a critical partner to the "1st Line of Defense," providing strategic advisory to product teams and ensuring that innovation in the digital currency space is built on a foundation of robust AML, Sanctions, and regulatory compliance.

Requirements

Extensive experience in AML/Sanctions compliance, with a significant focus on digital assets, cryptocurrency, or blockchain technology.
A JD or advanced degree is highly desirable.
Deep understanding of BSA/AML requirements, relevant FATF recommendations and the regulatory landscape for VASPs globally.
Proven ability to build rapport with product developers and business leads; you are a "solution-oriented" partner who can balance business growth with risk mitigation.
Experience navigating complex, matrixed organizations and leading cross-functional teams without direct reporting lines.
Proficiency with blockchain analytics tools and the ability to interpret on-chain data to identify emerging financial crime trends.
Exceptional executive presence with the ability to simplify complex technical and regulatory concepts for senior management and external partners.

Nice To Haves

Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS): CAMS or CAMS-Audit certification is strongly preferred.
Certified Cryptocurrency Risk Specialist (CCRS): Or equivalent credential demonstrating a deep understanding of the crypto-risk ecosystem.
Blockchain Analytics Certifications: Specific expertise or certification in industry-leading tools, such as: Chainalysis (CRC, CKC, or CCFC), Elliptic (Certified Compliance Practitioner), TRM Labs (TRM Certified Investigator)

Responsibilities

Provide timely advisory and oversight as a 2nd line functional subject matter expert to support business growth and control development. You will ensure that digital currency initiatives are launched with a clear understanding of regulatory risks while enabling the business to scale securely.
Partner with product and technology teams throughout the product lifecycle to design "Compliance by Design" controls for digital currency wallets, cross-border settlement solutions, and NFT marketplaces.
Provide high-level oversight of AML operations specific to digital assets. This includes setting standards for Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) due diligence, on-chain transaction monitoring strategies, and the integration of blockchain analytics tools into the broader Mastercard compliance ecosystem.
Lead the compliance workstream for M&A activity within the digital asset sector. You will conduct deep-dive regulatory due diligence on target companies, assess the maturity of their compliance programs, and spearhead the post-acquisition integration of their AML/Sanctions frameworks into Mastercard standards.
Monitor the global "patchwork" of digital asset regulations (e.g., MiCA, Travel Rule, evolving FATF guidance). You will translate complex regulatory changes into actionable business requirements and represent Mastercard’s compliance posture in discussions with key regulators and industry bodies.
Lead the periodic enterprise-wide risk assessments for digital currency products. You will establish and track key risk indicators (KRIs) for the digital asset portfolio, reporting findings and mitigation strategies to senior leadership and regional business leads.

Benefits

insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance)
flexible spending account and health savings account
16 weeks of new parent leave
up to 20 days of bereavement leave
80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time
25 days of vacation time
5 personal days
10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays
401k with a best-in-class company match
deferred compensation for eligible roles
fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities
eligibility for tuition reimbursement