Senior Specialist - FinTech (Digital/Virtual Assets Regulation)

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) is responsible for the regulation of Financial Services activities in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)—an award-winning international financial centre strategically located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The Fintech Department, within the Authorisation & Fintech Division of the FSRA, is responsible for the regulatory oversight of intermediary firms conducting regulated activities in relation to Virtual Assets (VAs) and Fiat-Referenced Tokens (FRTs). This includes entities engaged in issuance of FRTs, safekeeping of VAs/ FRTs, VA-related trading and investments, and other non-exchange services. This Senior Specialist role sits within the Fintech Supervision (Intermediary) team and will be directly responsible for the day-to-day supervisory oversight of VA broker-dealer entities. These entities typically carry out regulated activities such as Dealing in Investments (as Principal or Agent) and Providing Custody under a Financial Services Permission (FSP) granted by the FSRA. The role involves complex supervisory challenges posed by virtual asset intermediaries, including systemic risk considerations, cross-border regulatory coordination, and technology-driven business models. Operational responsibilities • Participates in desk-based and on-site inspections, reviewing policies, operations, and business models of supervised intermediaries to ensure alignment with the FSRA’s regulatory framework. • Assists with the development and follow-up of risk mitigation plans, thematic reviews, and regulatory reporting associated with intermediary firms. • Liaises with regulated firms to address issues identified during supervision and facilitates improvement in governance and risk management practices. • Assist in the development of regulatory frameworks to address risks faced by regulated entities’ adoption and use of virtual assets, including new products offered by regulated entities. • Contributes to the administration of regulations, rules and risk management for the ongoing supervision of intermediary firms. • Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reporting by Fintech. Strategic responsibilities • Supports the Senior Manager and Manager in supervising intermediary firms carrying out regulated activities in relation to Virtual Assets and Fiat-Referenced Tokens, focusing on detailed reviews, regulatory returns, and risk assessments relevant to firm-level risks such as prudential, operational, conduct, and financial crime. • Continuously improve intermediary supervision practices to ensure that ADGM takes a leading role in virtual asset and stablecoin related market developments. Education • Minimum Bachelor’s degree. • Professionally qualified in one of the following disciplines: Finance, computer science/ engineering, business, or related field. Work Experience: • Minimum 6 years of experience in compliance, risk assessment, regulatory review, or external/internal audit for financial intermediaries. • Qualifications / competency relating to blockchain technologies, digital assets or related disciplines. • Good written and oral communication skills; able to clearly report findings and recommendations. • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and negotiation skills. • Ability to work collaboratively in team-based environments and to influence both internal and external stakeholders. • High standard of personal ethics, integrity, and responsibility. Desirable: • Advanced degree or professional certifications in compliance or risk management (e.g., ICA, ACAMS, CFA). • Familiarity with supervisory technology (SupTech) and regulatory technology (RegTech) systems. • Experience working on or supporting regulatory inspections, thematic reviews, or remediation programs at regulator or within regulated firms. • Project management experience, preferably within a financial supervisory context. • Exposure to ADGM or UAE regulatory systems and standards. • Proficiency in Arabic language and understanding of multicultural environments. • Familiarity with ADGM-specific rules and business culture. • Exposure to international regulatory engagement and policy development.