Job description
Building the Future of Crypto
Our Krakenites are a world-class team with crypto conviction, united by our desire to discover and unlock the potential of crypto and blockchain technology.
What makes us different?
Kraken is a mission-focused company rooted in crypto values. As a Krakenite, you’ll join us on our mission to accelerate the global adoption of crypto, so that everyone can achieve financial freedom and inclusion. For over a decade, Kraken’s focus on our mission and crypto ethos has attracted many of the most talented crypto experts in the world.
Before you apply, please read the Kraken Culture page to learn more about our internal culture, values, and mission. We also expect candidates to familiarize themselves with the Kraken app. Learn how to create a Kraken account here.
As a fully remote company, we have Krakenites in 70+ countries who speak over 50 languages. Krakenites are industry pioneers who develop premium crypto products for experienced traders, institutions, and newcomers to the space. Kraken is committed to industry-leading security, crypto education, and world-class client support through our products like Kraken Pro, Desktop, Wallet, and Kraken Futures.
Become a Krakenite and build the future of crypto!
Proof of work
The team
Reporting to the General Manager of xStocks, the Principal, Business Development will play a key role in expanding our footprint across the crypto ecosystem. This individual will be responsible for identifying, negotiating, and securing high-impact partnerships with crypto exchanges, wallets, custodians, liquidity providers, DeFi platforms, and other blockchain projects. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the adoption and growth of xStocks by driving strategic collaborations that position us at the forefront of tokenized asset innovation.
This role sits within the equities team at Kraken, focused on the combined roadmap of traditional equities products and tokenized equities. We believe that the combination of traditional equities and tokenized equities will allow for new product types and forms never before seen, that will give investors new ways to engage with the market, new opportunities and that it will be transformative in how markets operate.
The opportunity
Identify and pursue strategic partnership opportunities within the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem.
Serve as the go-to lead for tokenized equities, representing xStocks with multiple exchanges, DeFi players, and institutional partners.
Build and execute partnership strategies aligned with xStocks’ international growth roadmap, especially across APAC and other emerging markets.
Act as a thought partner to our product, legal, marketing, and compliance teams, ensuring partner integrations are smooth, compliant, and value-driving.
Educate and support internal and external stakeholders—especially those from TradFi backgrounds—on the distinctions and advantages of tokenized equities compared to traditional financial instruments.
Maintain a pulse on evolving DeFi ecosystems, token standards, and on-chain protocols to inform partnership decisions.
Represent xStocks at key industry events and conferences (occasional travel expected, ~1 week/month).
Collaborate cross-functionally with team leads, including geo-expansion, international partnerships, and regional leads.
Skills you should HODL
Minimum 5+ years in business development, strategic partnerships, or sales within crypto, DeFi, digital assets, or capital markets.
Strong understanding of on-chain infrastructure, tokenized assets, and the DeFi ecosystem—bonus points for existing network and contacts in the space.
Experience working with brokerages, trading desks, or capital markets infrastructure—must understand market structure and implications for tokenized assets.
Proven success in negotiating and managing high-impact, cross-border partnerships.
Entrepreneurial, collaborative, and comfortable navigating ambiguity in high-growth environments.
Exposure to regulatory frameworks and compliance for tokenized securities or digital assets.
Comfortable collaborating across time zones with occasional international travel.
#LI-Remote #LI-KF1
This job is accepting ongoing applications and there is no application deadline.
Please note, applicants are permitted to redact or remove information on their resume that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment on our team, assessing candidates in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Kraken is powered by people from around the world and we celebrate all Krakenites for their diverse talents, backgrounds, contributions and unique perspectives. We hire strictly based on merit, meaning we seek out the candidates with the right abilities, knowledge, and skills considered the most suitable for the job. We encourage you to apply for roles where you don’t fully meet the listed requirements, especially if you’re passionate or knowledgable about crypto!
As an equal opportunity employer, we don’t tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. Whether that’s based on race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, citizenship, religion, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state or local laws.
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