About the Client
Our client is an international FinTech company operating in the payments (PSP) space with a strong presence across multiple markets. The business works with complex, non-standard operating models, including high-risk and borderline verticals, and is actively expanding globally. The company is scaling across regulated environments and building new business lines in parallel with an existing legal function.

About the Role
We are hiring a Global Legal Counsel with strong international experience in FinTech/Payments and iGaming. This is a growth-oriented legal role for someone who helps the business move forwarв.
The main focus is to find legally sound ways to execute business initiatives, structure solutions for scale, and ensure they remain resilient, compliant, and risk-managed. You will work directly with the CEO and will be involved in shaping a new legal structure for a dedicated business direction alongside the current legal team.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and propose legally robust, business-friendly structures and solutions for a FinTech / Payments company operating in high-risk and borderline areas.

• Research, assess, and compare jurisdictions for specific use cases, including licensing and operational feasibility.

• Adapt and repackage business models to regulatory constraints with a clear focus on growth rather than restriction.

• Prepare multiple strategic scenarios (conservative / balanced / aggressive) with transparent explanations of risks, timelines, and costs.

• Lead legal research and support company incorporations, licensing, and regulatory setups, including crypto licenses in Europe, UAE, Africa, and other regions.

• Manage and coordinate external lawyers, corporate service providers, registrars, banks, and other third parties.

• Gradually build and structure a dedicated legal function for a new business direction, including processes, vendors, and future team setup.

Requirements

• Hands-on international legal experience in FinTech/payments and iGaming (practical exposure to both domains is essential).

• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, business structuring, licensing models, and alternative operating setups.

• Mandatory experience working with European jurisdictions, including crypto licensing.

• Exposure to or confident navigation across additional markets (UAE, Africa, LATAM, etc.) is a strong advantage.

• Ability to operate as a true business partner: autonomous, accountable, and execution-driven.

• Fluent English and Russian for daily interaction with international stakeholders.

• Proven background in international companies within iGaming, payments, and FinTech.

• Practical knowledge of contract and corporate law, with a strong grasp of payment and iGaming business specifics.

• Understanding of AML, GDPR, and regulatory compliance requirements; licensing experience is a plus.

• Experience supporting company formation and bank account openings across multiple jurisdictions, including regulated and offshore frameworks (VASP / CASP / MiCA, EMI, VARA, ADGM, CBUAE, offshore structures).

Soft Skills

• Strong commercial mindset and ownership mentality.

• Comfortable working in ambiguity and navigating complex or grey-zone business models.

• Clear and pragmatic communicator able to explain legal trade-offs to non-legal teams.

• Structured thinker with the ability to turn complexity into actionable options.

• Proactive, independent, and confident working directly with C-level stakeholders.
  
  If you are a business-oriented legal leader who enjoys building scalable solutions in challenging regulatory environments, we would be happy to connect and share more details.