General Counsel
About Us
Sei is the first parallelized layer 1 blockchain. By re-writing the most widely adopted execution environment in Web3, Sei is setting a new standard in blockchain performance and scalability. Apps on Sei benefit from both the performance of web2 and the decentralization and sovereignty of web3. For more detailed information visit Sei's official website.
About the Role
The Sei Development Foundation is seeking an experienced General Counsel to serve as the organization’s top legal officer. The GC will own all legal, regulatory, and compliance functions across the foundation’s global operations, providing strategic counsel to the Executive Director and leadership team on matters spanning corporate governance, token-related activities, partnerships, and regulatory engagement. This role requires someone who can operate as both a hands-on practitioner and a strategic advisor in a fast-moving crypto-native environment.
This is a high-impact, high-autonomy role. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in digital assets regulation with the judgment and temperament to navigate ambiguity, move quickly, and build legal infrastructure from the ground up.
Responsibilities
Legal Strategy & Corporate Governance
Serve as the foundation’s chief legal advisor, providing counsel on corporate governance, entity structuring, and strategic transactions
Advise the Executive Director and leadership team on legal risk across all business activities, including partnerships, grants, incubations, and token operations
Oversee the foundation’s corporate entity structure across multiple jurisdictions and ensure ongoing compliance with formation documents and governance requirements
Draft, review, and negotiate key agreements including partnership deals, token grant agreements, service agreements, and vendor contracts
Regulatory & Compliance
Own and maintain the foundation’s compliance program, including AML/KYC, sanctions (OFAC), and insider trading policies
Monitor and advise on evolving regulatory frameworks across the US, EU, Asia, and emerging markets as they relate to digital assets, DeFi, and blockchain infrastructure
Manage regulatory relationships and represent the foundation in engagements with regulators and policymakers where appropriate
Ensure compliance with securities laws and token distribution regulations across all applicable jurisdictions
Oversee compliance infrastructure for exchange listings, custodian relationships, and on/off-ramp partnerships
Token & Digital Asset Matters
Provide legal guidance on tokenomics, token distributions, vesting structures, and treasury management activities
Advise on legal implications of on-chain governance, protocol upgrades, and ecosystem incentive programs
Structure and review token grant agreements and restricted token arrangements for partners, contributors, and ecosystem participants
Evaluate legal risks related to RWA tokenization, DeFi integrations, and new product launches
Team & External Counsel Management
Build and manage the internal legal function, hiring additional legal and compliance team members as needed
Select, manage, and coordinate outside counsel across jurisdictions for specialized matters (litigation, IP, tax, regulatory)
Establish legal processes, templates, and playbooks that enable the team to move fast while managing risk
Intellectual Property & Employment
Oversee the foundation’s IP portfolio, including trademarks, open-source licensing, and contributor agreements
Advise on employment and contractor matters across a globally distributed, EOR-structured workforce
What You’ll Bring
J.D. from a top-tier law school and active bar membership in at least one US jurisdiction
10+ years of legal experience, with significant time spent on digital assets, fintech, or blockchain-related matters
Deep knowledge of US securities law, commodities regulation, AML/sanctions frameworks, and their application to digital assets
Experience advising on token launches, token grant structures, and crypto-native corporate governance
Track record of building legal and compliance functions at a high-growth startup or foundation
Experience managing outside counsel and legal budgets across multiple jurisdictions
Ability to operate with high autonomy, make judgment calls under ambiguity, and move at startup speed
Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to translate complex legal concepts for non-legal stakeholders
Bonus Points
Prior experience as General Counsel or Deputy GC at a crypto protocol, foundation, or exchange
Familiarity with Cayman Islands, BVI, or Singapore foundation and entity structures
Existing relationships with key regulators (SEC, CFTC, FinCEN, MAS, or equivalent)
Experience with US policy engagement, lobbying, or industry association work (e.g., Blockchain Association, DeFi Education Fund)
Background in capital markets, M&A, or structured finance prior to crypto