Head of Treasury — Crypto Exchange (UAE)

About This Role

Head of Treasury — Crypto Exchange (UAE)

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE (on-site)

Timezone: GMT+3

Employment Type: Full-time

Level: Senior Management

About the Opportunity

We are a recruitment agency partnering with a fintech company that is launching a regulated cryptocurrency exchange in the United Arab Emirates.

Our client is currently in the final stages of obtaining a Capital Markets Authority (CMA) license and is building out its core leadership team as part of the regulatory approval process.

The business is backed by founders with a proven track record of building and scaling a profitable crypto exchange operating in the CIS region. The new platform will leverage an already tested technology stack and operational model, with a clear 5-year growth strategy and an ambition to reach IPO.

We are now looking for a Head of Treasury — a key senior management function holder who will be responsible for liquidity, client asset safeguarding, and treasury operations, with direct accountability to the regulator.

Role Overview

This is a critical regulatory and operational leadership role, responsible for ensuring:

• Full protection and segregation of client assets
• Strong liquidity management across fiat and digital assets
• Compliance with CMA requirements and regulatory standards

You will act as a designated senior manager accountable to the regulator and play a key role in building the treasury function from the ground up.

What You Will Be Doing

Treasury Strategy & Liquidity

• Define and execute treasury strategy aligned with regulatory and business requirements
• Manage liquidity across fiat and digital assets
• Design liquidity buffers for normal operations and stress scenarios
• Implement stress testing and contingency funding plans

Client Asset Safeguarding & Custody

• Design and implement client asset segregation frameworks (client vs company funds)
• Oversee custody setup, wallet structures, and banking arrangements
• Ensure accurate reconciliation between:
• on-chain vs off-chain balances
• internal ledgers vs external custodians/banks

Treasury Operations

• Oversee daily treasury activities:
• cash management
• crypto asset transfers
• settlements
• Implement dual control, approval workflows, and access controls
• Manage relationships with banks, custodians, PSPs, and liquidity providers

Governance, Policies & Reporting

• Establish and maintain treasury-related policies:
• Treasury Policy
• Client Asset Safeguarding Policy
• Liquidity Risk Management Policy
• Ensure policies are CMA-compliant and board-approved
• Provide regular reporting to senior management and the Board on liquidity position, asset balances, and treasury risks

Risk Management

• Identify and manage treasury-related risks:
• liquidity
• counterparty
• custody and operational risks
• Define risk appetite and exposure limits
• Monitor counterparties and financial partners

Regulatory & Compliance

• Act as a key point of contact with the CMA
• Support regulatory inspections, audits, and reporting
• Ensure compliance with client asset protection and operational control requirements

Must-Have Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in treasury, finance, or asset management
• 5+ years in a leadership role (Head / Director level)
• Experience in a regulated financial environment:
• banking
• fintech / payment providers
• brokerage (FX / CFD)
• crypto exchange
• Strong experience with:
• liquidity management
• client asset safeguarding / client money
• treasury operations and settlements
• Experience working under financial services regulation (CMA, FCA, MAS, DFSA, or equivalent)
• Hands-on approach with strong ownership and accountability

Nice to Have

• Experience in crypto exchanges or digital asset platforms
• Familiarity with custody solutions (wallets, MPC, custodians)
• Experience interacting directly with regulators
• Arabic language skills

Not a Fit

This role is not suitable for candidates with:

• purely corporate treasury background (e.g. internal cash management, FX hedging)
• accounting-focused roles without exposure to client funds
• no experience in regulated financial environments

Location & Relocation

• This is an on-site role in Abu Dhabi due to regulatory requirements
• Candidates should either:
• already be based in the UAE
• or be open to relocation
• Our client provides:
• relocation support
• visa sponsorship
• assistance with housing

Compensation: Competitive, discussed individually. Relocation candidates will receive additional support, including relocation assistance, visa sponsorship, and housing assistance

Why This Role

• Opportunity to join a regulated crypto exchange at launch stage
• Direct exposure to regulator and executive leadership
• Build treasury function from scratch
• Join a business with a clear 5-year growth plan and IPO ambition