MLRO/Deputy MLRO (Dubai)

Crypto.com is seeking a seasoned MLRO/Deputy MLRO to lead the AML/CTF/PF framework for its UAE operations in Dubai. This senior role oversees regulatory compliance for both payment services and digital asset activities, maintains active relationships with UAE regulators, and provides strategic guidance to the Board and senior leadership on financial crime risks. The ideal candidate will bring solid UAE regulatory know-how, proven compliance experience, and ideally a background in the cryptocurrency or broader digital-assets space.

The position sits onsite in Dubai and works with teams across the business to ensure controls, reporting and governance keep pace with regulatory developments. It’s a good fit for someone who enjoys shaping policy, delivering training, and communicating clearly with regulators in a fast-changing crypto environment.

In this role you’d help shape the compliance culture in the UAE, translate complex rules into practical policies, and stay current with the evolving rules affecting VASP and SVF licences. If you’ve led AML programs within regulated financial services or law firms and can operate effectively in a multinational, matrixed setting, you could be a strong match.

Day-to-day work in the UAE AML program

As the UAE MLRO/Deputy MLRO, you’ll own the local AML/CTF/PF program and serve as the primary contact for regulatory matters in the UAE. You’ll drive a compliant culture across the business, ensuring policies and controls meet the local requirements and are effectively implemented.

You’ll manage the business-wide risk assessment, provide regulatory updates to the Board on the AML program, and flag material changes or risks to mitigate exposure in the UAE. You’ll monitor regulatory developments in the UAE, with a focus on the regulatory framework governing VASP and SVF licences, and translate those changes into practical actions.

Maintaining relationships with regulators such as the Central Bank of UAE, VARA, and other authorities will be a core part of the role, as will overseeing the rollout of internal financial crime policies for both payment services and crypto asset activities. You’ll also lead AML/CTF/PF training for employees, board members and other stakeholders, especially around licensing requirements for VASP and SVF activities.

The role involves coordinating with internal teams, Legal, Compliance, Finance, IT, Security, and external partners, counsel, consultants, to ensure accurate reporting to UAE regulators. You’ll monitor, report and respond to suspicious activity to the FIU and handle law enforcement inquiries when needed, and you’ll conduct regular internal reviews to verify continued compliance with AML/CTF/PF rules in the UAE. When gaps are found, you’ll develop action plans and escalate recommendations to senior leadership for timely remediation.

Beyond routine duties, you’ll perform other tasks to align with global standards and ensure ongoing regulatory alignment for the UAE market, balancing local specifics with the company’s international framework.

What you need to bring to the role

• Minimum of three years of relevant experience in a regulated financial institution, or with a regulatory authority, or in a law firm handling AML and payments-related compliance matters.

• A locally recognized qualification in the UAE that pertains to this role.

• Experience in the digital assets industry (cryptocurrency) is strongly preferred and advantageous.

• An understanding of AML regulations and payments services legislation within the UAE’s banking/financial services sector, with a focus on crypto assets.

• The ability to distinguish regulatory requirements from “best practices” in compliance, and to distill guidance, statutes and audit findings into concrete business actions and impacts for the UAE.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, plus a proven track record of working with people at all levels in a decentralized, matrixed environment.

• Motivated and solution-oriented, able to work across different cultures and both in teams and independently.

• Demonstrated commitment to performing duties to a high standard.

Nice-to-have qualifications

• Direct experience within the digital assets space, with a preference for candidates who have interacted with the UAE’s crypto licensing landscape.

• Prior exposure to regulatory engagement with UAE authorities such as the Central Bank of UAE or VARA, or other relevant regulators.

Pay, benefits and practical details

This is a full-time, onsite role based in Dubai, UAE, with duties carried out at Crypto.com’s UAE location.

Advice for applicants

Put your AML/CTF/PF and UAE regulatory experience up front on your resume, especially any roles in regulated financial services or law firms handling crypto-related compliance.

In your interview, illustrate how you translate regulatory guidance into actionable policies, procedures and training, with concrete examples of how you’ve aligned policy with board reporting, risk assessments and remediation plans.

Be ready to discuss your experience liaising with regulators or authorities in the UAE, including any interactions with entities like the Central Bank of UAE or VARA, and how you’ve managed reporting and responses to regulatory inquiries.

Ask a targeted question about how Crypto.com views updates to the UAE’s VASP and SVF licensing framework and how the UAE program plans to scale compliance as the business grows in the region.