Chief Executive Officer

About the role

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) leads BloFin’s overall strategy, operational management and regulatory compliance in the UAE. Reporting to the Board, the CEO oversees senior management and ensures the company operates within its VARA licence and approved business plan.

Key responsibilities

• Lead BloFin’s UAE strategy, ensuring activities remain within VARA‑authorised exchange services and do not include unauthorised services such as custody, lending or derivatives.
• Maintain constructive engagement with VARA, responding to requests, RFIs, inspections and reporting obligations, and escalating material changes for regulatory review.
• Promote a compliance‑first culture, allocate resources to AML/CFT, risk, technology, cybersecurity and client protection, and support Board governance.
• Oversee safe operation of the centralized spot exchange, including trading systems, market surveillance, settlement and participant conduct.
• Ensure proper custodian arrangements for client virtual assets and maintain clear separation between exchange and custody services.
• Monitor financial sustainability, capital, liquidity and wind‑down planning, and report prudential risks to the Board.
• Staff senior management and control functions with qualified individuals, support Fit‑and‑Proper assessments and maintain sufficient UAE‑based operational substance.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, Law, Technology, Engineering or related field; advanced degree or professional qualification preferred.
• Minimum 10 years senior leadership experience in financial services, fintech, virtual assets, exchanges, brokerage, capital markets, banking or regulated technology.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operations, regulatory relationships and senior teams in a regulated environment.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of virtual assets and exchange operations.
• Deep knowledge of AML/CFT, market conduct, risk management and cybersecurity.
• Experience with VARA rulebooks and UAE regulatory expectations.
• Strategic leadership, governance and decision‑making capability.