Senior FinCrime Analyst

JOB OVERVIEW: 

We are currently looking to hire an experienced and dedicated Senior FinCrime Analyst (2nd line of defense) with experience in crypto processes to join our Dubai office! 

The role combines hands-on transaction monitoring, complex alert investigation, and high-quality onboarding/KYC due diligence for crypto clients and partners, with a strong emphasis on judgement, escalation, and continuous control enhancement. The successful candidate will be responsible to operate KYB and KYC onboarding processes, monitor transactions while assisting in identifying and mitigating financial crime risks in day-to-day operations.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

1. Transaction Monitoring & Investigations (Crypto)

• Review and investigate alerts generated from crypto transaction monitoring systems, applying risk-based judgement to distinguish genuine suspicious activity from false positives.
• Analyse on-chain and off-chain activity to identify unusual patterns, typologies, and red flags (e.g., mixing services, darknet exposure, sanctioned wallets, high-risk jurisdictions, layering/structuring, and rapid movement between fiat and crypto).
• Conduct end-to-end investigations, prepare clear and concise case files, and recommend appropriate dispositions (e.g., No SAR, SAR, exit, enhanced monitoring).
• Draft well-reasoned internal escalation memos and, where applicable, support the MLRO in preparation of external filings/STRs/SARs in relevant jurisdictions.
• Contribute to tuning and calibration of crypto monitoring scenarios, thresholds, and rules to improve effectiveness and reduce noise.

2. Onboarding & KYC/EDD (Crypto Clients & Counterparties)

• Perform KYC, CDD, and EDD on new and existing crypto clients, counterparties, and partners, including exchanges, brokers, liquidity providers, and institutional clients.
• Assess ownership structures, source of funds/source of wealth, business models, geography, and product usage against the Group’s risk appetite.
• Conduct open-source and enhanced due diligence using appropriate tools to identify sanctions, PEP exposure, adverse media, and other financial crime risk indicators.
• Prepare clear onboarding risk assessments and recommendations for approval, documenting rationale in line with policy and regulatory expectations.
• Support periodic and trigger-based reviews, including re-KYC and uplift for higher-risk relationships.

3. Policy, Frameworks & Controls

• Apply Group policies, standards, and procedures consistently across crypto transaction monitoring and onboarding activities.

• Provide feedback to the Senior FinCrime Manager/MLRO on gaps, emerging risks, and opportunities to enhance the financial crime control framework in the crypto space.

• Assist in updating procedures, playbooks, investigation templates, and risk assessment methodologies for crypto products and services.

• Support the impact assessment and implementation of new regulatory guidance or industry expectations relating to virtual assets, VASPs, and related AML/CTF requirements.

4. Data, Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Work effectively with the Group’s transaction monitoring and case management platforms, including any specialist blockchain analytics tools.

• Identify recurring root causes in alerts and investigations, and work with Product and Technology teams to improve data quality, system logic, and control design.

• Contribute to MI and reporting for senior management and the MLRO, including trends, typologies, and key metrics for crypto activity.

• Support testing and validation of new rules, models, or system changes before deployment.

5. Stakeholder Engagement & Training

• Collaborate with front-line teams, onboarding, operations, and technology to ensure crypto clients and flows are understood, documented, and controlled.

• Provide practical training and guidance to colleagues on crypto-specific risks, typologies, and best practices in transaction monitoring and onboarding.

• Represent the function professionally during internal and external discussions relating to crypto financial crime risk.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

• 3–6 years hands-on experience in Financial Crime / AML / Onboarding roles (1st & 2nd line of defense), with a strong focus on crypto / virtual assets / digital asset businesses, or a mix of traditional financial crime experience with demonstrable deep exposure to crypto use-cases, withing the EMI/ FinTech/ Payments industry
• Solid hands-on experience in transaction monitoring and investigations, ideally including crypto transaction flows and blockchain analytics.
• Experience with KYC/CDD/EDD for higher-risk clients, including institutional or B2B relationships; prior exposure to VASPs/exchanges/crypto brokers is a strong plus.
• Strong understanding of key AML/CTF concepts, sanctions, PEPs, and regulatory expectations relevant to virtual assets (e.g., FATF recommendations, Travel Rule, VASP obligations, and local regulatory frameworks where the Group operates).
• Familiarity with one or more blockchain analytics / crypto monitoring tools (e.g., Chainalysis, TRM, Elliptic, or similar) is highly desirable.
• Professional certifications such as CAMS, CGSS, Chainalysis/other crypto-specific certifications, or equivalent, are an advantage.
  

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex transactional behaviour and identify patterns and anomalies.
• Excellent written communication skills – able to produce clear, concise, and well-structured investigation reports and risk assessments suitable for review by the MLRO and senior management.
• High level of integrity, sound judgement, and comfort in making and justifying risk-based decisions.
• Pragmatic and outcome-driven, able to operate in a fast-paced and evolving environment while maintaining control discipline.
• Proactive, curious, and willing to stay current with developments in the crypto, DeFi, and Web3 ecosystem from a financial crime and regulatory perspective.
• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across jurisdictions and functions in a GCC/Group setup.

WHAT WE OFFER:

🚀Competitive Remuneration package, including performance-based financial rewards

🚀Health Insurance

🚀Employee Referral Bonus

🚀Flight Tickets Reimbursement

🚀Birthday Day Off