Chief Policy Officer

About Ondo Finance:

Hi, we're Ondo Finance. Our mission is to provide institutional-grade, blockchain-enabled investment products and services. We have both a technology arm that develops decentralized finance technology, and an asset management arm that creates and manages tokenized funds. We were the first company to tokenize exposure to US Treasuries, and have since expanded into several other assets. We are also focused on incubating protocols that can support both tokenized real-world assets and traditional crypto.

Founded by folks from Goldman Sachs Digital Assets Team, we’re backed by some of the best investors in the world including Founders Fund, Coinbase Ventures, Pantera Capital, Tiger Global, and more. We are currently the leaders in the space in terms of AUM and are well capitalized to continue to grow the firm. We're fully remote, with team members across the U.S.

Position Summary:

As the industry evolves, we are looking for a Chief Policy Officer (CPO) with deep regulatory expertise to help shape a positive regulatory environment for real-world asset tokenization and blockchain technology. The Chief Policy Officer (CPO) will be a key figure in driving Ondo Finance’s government relations and policy strategy, focusing on educating lawmakers and regulators about the benefits of tokenization. This role requires an individual with senior-level policy or regulatory experience who can bridge the gap between traditional financial regulations and emerging technologies. The CPO will lead Ondo’s engagement with government bodies, direct lobbying efforts, and advocate for regulatory frameworks that promote innovation in and access to real-world asset tokenization.

Key Responsibilities:

Regulatory Education:

•Educate lawmakers, regulators, and policymakers on the benefits of blockchain technology and the real-world asset tokenization, emphasizing its potential to bring transparency, efficiency, and financial inclusion.

•Serve as a trusted advisor to government agencies, helping them understand how real-world asset tokenization can integrate with existing regulatory frameworks in positive and compliant ways.

•Develop and communicate clear policy positions regarding the role of Ondo’s solutions in enhancing financial markets and mitigating risks.

•Position Ondo as a thought leader in the intersection of traditional finance and tokenization, speaking at conferences, writing op-eds, and engaging with media on policy topics.

•Build partnerships with advocacy groups, industry coalitions, and academic institutions to promote a balanced and forward-thinking view of real-world asset tokenization.

Government Relations:

•Build and maintain relationships with key government regulators, including former colleagues at agencies like the SEC, CFTC, Treasury, analogous non-US agencies, and other financial authorities.

•Represent Ondo at public hearings, government consultations, and industry forums to ensure that real-world asset tokenization is well-represented in regulatory discussions.

•Collaborate with global regulators to ensure Ondo has a voice in and remains compliant with evolving international regulatory frameworks.

Policy Advocacy:

•Design and execute a strategy for political engagement, including potential donations to lawmakers aligned with Ondo’s vision for the future of financial regulation.

•Oversee lobbying efforts, working closely with external consultants and advisors to shape policy that supports the long-term growth of real-world assets tokenization.

•Evaluate and potentially lead the formation of an industry trade group or coalition to complement first-party advocacy efforts..

Strategic Regulatory Affairs:

•Advise the CEO and executive leadership team on emerging regulatory trends, assessing the potential impact on Ondo’s business and industry as a whole.

•Monitor regulatory developments globally, ensuring Ondo is proactively prepared for new or shifting policies.

•Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to ensure Ondo adheres to all relevant laws and regulatory frameworks related to tokenization.

Qualifications:

•Former senior regulator (e.g., SEC, CFTC, Treasury, or other relevant financial regulatory bodies) or senior policymaker staff with a deep understanding of financial markets and regulatory frameworks.

•10+ years of experience in regulatory affairs, public policy, or government relations, with significant experience working in or with government agencies.

•Proven track record of successfully educating policymakers and regulators, and advocating for innovative financial technologies.

•Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts in a clear, relatable manner to both policymakers and industry professionals.

•Experience with lobbying efforts and political engagement in financial services or related sectors.

•Demonstrated leadership in navigating complex regulatory environments and influencing public policy outcomes.

Preferred Skills:

•Experience in financial services, with knowledge of digital assets, tokenization, and blockchain technology being a plus but not required.

•Strong network of relationships with key regulators and policymakers in the financial sector.

•Ability to think strategically and creatively about regulatory challenges and opportunities.

What we offer:

•Competitive compensation including salary, future token rights, and/or equity (according to your preferences) — we're well-funded and believe that great talent deserves great compensation

•Full benefits (medical, vision, and dental) and flexible vacation policy (PTO)

•Small remote-first team across many countries — you'll be an early team member helping shape our vision, culture, and design practices

•A+ colleagues — our team includes alumni from Goldman Sachs Digital Assets, SpaceX, AWS, DeFi protocols like BadgerDAO, private equity funds, hedge funds, and various VC-backed startups

•Best-in-class investors — we are proud to be backed by leading crypto experts (incl. founders of Aave, Quantstamp, and Anchorage) and funds (incl. Pantera, Genesis, DCG, Coin Fund, and CMS)