CEO - Licensed Virtual Currency Exchange

Our client is a well-known licensed virtual currency exchange operating in Japan, with a solid market presence built on compliance, technological innovation, and user trust. As they enter a critical phase of business expansion—aiming to enhance the service coverage, deepen market penetration, and explore new strategic opportunities in the Japanese crypto ecosystem—they are seeking a visionary CEO to lead our next chapter of growth.Position OverviewThis role is responsible for leading the overall management and strategic direction-setting of our licensed virtual currency exchange in Japan. The incumbent must possess exceptional leadership capabilities and compliance awareness, and be able to effectively engage with regulatory authorities, financial partners, and internal teams to drive the exchange's sustainable development within Japan's regulatory framework—while aligning operations with the business expansion goals.Core ResponsibilitiesOversee the overall operation management, strategic planning, and achievement of financial performance goals of the exchange, with a focus on supporting and accelerating business expansion initiatives.Ensure the exchange strictly complies with all regulatory requirements of Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA) and Japan Virtual and Crypto-Asset Exchange Association (JVCEA), especially as compliance needs evolve during scaling.Serve as the primary contact person for engaging with Japanese regulatory authorities and financial institutions, maintaining sound cooperative relationships to facilitate smooth expansion of business scope.Develop and implement practical business strategies based on local market characteristics, compliance requirements, and expansion objectives—such as launching new services, entering target user segments, or forging strategic partnerships.Lead cross-functional teams (including Operations, Marketing, Risk, and Compliance) to drive efficient achievement of team performance targets, while building organizational capacity to support business growth.Foster a corporate culture characterized by transparency, accountability, and adherence to regulatory compliance standards—critical for sustaining trust during expansion.Represent the company in external communications, partnership negotiations, and industry association activities—strengthening the brand’s influence to support expansion efforts.RequirementsMust hold Japanese nationality or permanent residency (to meet regulatory communication requirements).Possess more than 10 years of relevant experience in the fields of finance, fintech, or crypto asset management.Have practical leadership experience in regulated financial or technology enterprises, with a track record of managing operations amid growth or scaling.Possess in-depth understanding of Japan's Payment Services Act and relevant regulatory provisions for virtual currency exchanges—including how regulations apply to expanding business models.Demonstrate excellent communication skills in both Japanese and English, with the ability to engage stakeholders (regulators, partners, teams) across expansion-related initiatives.Combine strategic thinking with practical operational capabilities—able to translate expansion goals into actionable plans and drive execution.Preferred QualificationsPrevious experience in engaging with Japan Financial Services Agency (FSA) or Japan Virtual and Crypto-Asset Exchange Association (JVCEA)—especially on matters related to business expansion, service launches, or regulatory approvals.Have successful cases of building or scaling the operation of licensed financial institutions (preferably in crypto, fintech, or related fields).Possess relevant background in compliance, risk management, or legal affairs management in crypto currency or securities institutions—with experience mitigating risks during business expansion.Familiarity with Japan’s virtual currency market dynamics, user needs, and competitive landscape—enabling informed decisions to support expansion.Compensation and BenefitsA competitive salary will be offered, along with performance-based incentive bonuses (tied to both operational excellence and expansion milestones) and equity incentives (to align long-term interests with the company’s growth). Specific details will be discussed during the interview.