MLRO

MLRO, Digital Assets & Payments | Gibraltar

RecruitBlock, the executive search firm for digital assets, crypto and Web3 leadership appointments, is advising on the appointment of an MLRO in Gibraltar for a regulated digital assets and cross-border payments platform supporting institutional clients globally.

The business operates across a dual regulatory structure, combining a regulated e-money institution with a regulated distributed ledger technology framework, enabling multi-currency accounts, cross-border payments, FX and digital asset transaction capability.

With an established international footprint, c.100 employees and a 30-person compliance function, the firm has built a credible position within institutional payments and digital asset infrastructure. As the platform continues to scale, financial crime governance, regulatory credibility and institutional onboarding standards sit at the centre of its next phase of growth.

 

The Appointment

This is a Gibraltar-based MLRO appointment with formal responsibility across regulated entities, spanning both a regulated EMI and a regulated DLT structure.

The role carries direct ownership of financial crime governance across a platform supporting institutional, B2B client activity, including financial institutions, payment firms and regulated counterparties operating across jurisdictions.

It is a control function position with direct commercial proximity, where decisions on onboarding, risk appetite and financial crime exposure directly influence client acceptance, revenue generation and regulatory standing.

Full relocation to Gibraltar is supported, with a competitive compensation package designed to attract internationally based MLROs. This represents a rare opportunity to combine regulatory authority, international exposure and lifestyle transition within a single appointment.

 

Role Scope

·   Act as MLRO across Gibraltar-regulated EMI and DLT entities

·   Own AML, CTF and financial crime frameworks, including policy, governance and control architecture

·   Lead suspicious activity reporting, internal escalation processes and law enforcement engagement

·   Maintain direct regulatory relationship with the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission

·   Oversee corporate client onboarding across complex, multi-jurisdictional structures

·   Lead CDD and EDD decision-making for institutional clients, including financial institutions and payment firms

·   Assess financial crime risk across cross-border payment flows spanning fiat and digital asset rails

·   Evaluate complex transaction activity, including layered flows and institutional counterparty exposure

·   Oversee transaction monitoring frameworks and high-risk alert handling

·   Operate at the intersection of regulatory integrity and commercial activity, supporting scalable institutional onboarding

 

Executive Profile

This appointment is strictly targeted at individuals already operating at MLRO level within regulated digital assets or regulated payments environments.

The most relevant candidates will demonstrate:

·   Current or recent experience as MLRO or Deputy MLRO within a regulated VASP, CASP, DLT provider or regulated EMI

·   Direct ownership of financial crime frameworks within regulated digital asset or payments businesses

·   Proven expertise in corporate KYC, institutional onboarding and enhanced due diligence across complex ownership structures

·   Experience assessing financial crime risk across cross-border payments, including multi-layered transaction flows and jurisdictional exposure

·   Background working with B2B clients, including financial institutions, payment firms or regulated counterparties

·   Demonstrated ability to make risk-based decisions in commercially active environments, not purely advisory roles

·   Experience overseeing transaction monitoring, high-risk alerts and SAR decision-making

·   Direct engagement with regulators, including reporting accountability and supervisory interaction

·   Experience within an FCA-regulated environment is strongly preferred

Candidates without direct, recent experience at MLRO or Deputy MLRO level within regulated digital assets or regulated payments environments will not be considered.

 

Why This Role

·   Formal MLRO responsibility across dual regulated entities (EMI and DLT)

·   Exposure to institutional, revenue-generating client activity at scale

·   Positioned within a well-established 30-person compliance function with depth and infrastructure

·   Opportunity to shape financial crime governance during a critical phase of international growth

·   A platform operating at the intersection of payments infrastructure and digital assets

·   Gibraltar-based with full relocation support, offering both career progression and lifestyle advantage

·   A rare combination of regulatory authority, commercial influence and international exposure

 

RecruitBlock

RecruitBlock advises founders, CEOs, boards and investors on senior leadership appointments across digital assets, crypto and Web3. Our work spans financial crime, compliance, legal, finance and governance roles where regulatory credibility and institutional readiness are central.

 

Related Leadership Appointments

MLRO, Digital Assets | Europe

Head of Financial Crime, Payments & Digital Assets | Gibraltar

Director, Compliance & Financial Crime, Digital Assets | Europe

Deputy MLRO, Payments & Digital Assets | UK

 

Confidential Discussion

Paul Owen FCA is advising on this appointment. For individuals currently operating within regulated digital assets or payments environments, confidential discussions can be arranged to share further context.

 

We champion diversity, equity and inclusion and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you require adjustments at any stage, we will support you confidentially.

 

MLRO Jobs Gibraltar | Financial Crime Jobs Digital Assets | Payments Compliance Jobs EMI | Crypto Compliance Jobs VASP CASP | DLT Regulation Jobs | Cross Border Payments Compliance