Legal Counsel India
OpenFX · Bengaluru (India)
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- Bengaluru (India)
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Subject: Interested in the Legal Counsel India role at OpenFX
Hi Riley — I came across the Legal Counsel India opening and wanted to reach out directly. I've spent the last few years doing exactly this kind of work, and OpenFX stood out because…
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About the role
About Us
OpenFX is on a mission to move money as freely as data, unrestricted by time zones, banking hours, or legacy systems. We are building the infrastructure that will power the next generation of cross-border payment systems for institutions. The team's execution has been exceptional, and we're scaling at a remarkable pace. Our stellar early team comes with experience in companies like J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, FalconX, Paypal, Affirm, Polygon, Kraken, Nium & others. We’re backed by Accel, Lightspeed, NfX and other top-tier investors.
Role Overview
We're hiring a Legal Counsel based in Bangalore who will be a key partner to the business as OpenFX builds out its India presence and continues to scale globally. India is one of OpenFX's most important markets and home to a hub of approximately 80 employees across product, engineering, compliance, and operations. The role spans three core areas: India market entry and ongoing business support — partnering with product, compliance, and business teams to launch OpenFX in India in a compliant manner and supporting the business on an ongoing basis across regulatory, commercial, and operational legal matters; general legal support for OpenFX's India hub — advising on the day-to-day legal needs that come with operating a large office and team in India, including employment, corporate, vendor, and operational matters; and contributing to the global legal function — working alongside legal colleagues in the US, UK, EU, and elsewhere on commercial contracts, market expansion scoping in other geographies, regulatory questions outside India, and general corporate work.
The work sits at the intersection of cross-border payments, crypto, and technology, and ranges from novel regulatory questions to complex commercial contracts and general corporate matters. The ideal candidate is a team player energized by a high-growth environment and translating complex legal requirements and ambiguity into clear, actionable guidance for the business, and views legal work as an enabler of business growth and long-term success.
Key Responsibilities:
- India Regulatory Advisory
- Provide practical, forward-thinking legal advice on the Indian regulatory frameworks impacting OpenFX's business, including RBI regulations (payments, FX, and authorized dealer regimes), IFSCA frameworks at GIFT City, FEMA and cross-border flow requirements, FIU-IND/PMLA obligations, and data protection laws (DPDPA). Support regulatory applications, representations, and structuring of new products and partnerships, and engage with regulators in coordination with outside counsel.
- India Market Entry and Product Legal
- Partner with product, compliance, and business teams to design and launch OpenFX's India offering in a compliant manner. Translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance that helps teams build compliant products while shipping fast. Advise on cross-border transaction structures, foreign regulatory implications, and the interaction between Indian rules and OpenFX's global operating model. Work closely with the Compliance team to ensure contractual arrangements and policies align with licensing conditions and regulatory obligations.
- Commercial Contracts and Partnerships
- Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements that power OpenFX's business in India and globally, including institutional client agreements, banking and payment company arrangements. Contribute to scalable contracting playbooks, templates, and review processes that allow the business to move quickly without sacrificing quality or risk discipline.
- India Hub and Corporate Support
- Provide legal support for OpenFX's Indian entity and Bangalore office of approximately 80 employees, including corporate governance, employment and HR matters, vendor and real estate agreements, privacy and data protection, and other operational legal needs. Coordinate with finance, people, and operations teams to keep the Indian entity running smoothly. Manage local outside counsel efficiently for specialist questions.
- Global Legal Team Contribution
- Contribute to the work of OpenFX's global legal function on matters outside India, including commercial contracts with clients and partners, regulatory scoping for new market expansion, and general corporate matters. Collaborate closely with legal team members across the US, UK, and EU, and serve as a force multiplier for the global team.
What we are looking for
Must-haves:
- LLB or equivalent law degree from an accredited law school and qualified to practice in India (enrolled with a State Bar Council and the Bar Council of India in good standing).
- 5+ years of legal experience, with significant fintech, payments, or financial services exposure (in-house or at a leading law firm).
- Working knowledge of Indian financial services regulation — including RBI, FEMA, IFSCA, PMLA/FIU-IND, and DPDPA — with the curiosity and capacity to develop deeper subject-matter expertise on the job.
- Experience working collaboratively with product, engineering, compliance, and business teams.
- Strong commercial drafting and negotiation skills across a range of agreement types.
- Proven ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice that appropriately balances risk with commercial objectives.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, combining creativity with attention to detail.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Self-starter who thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and takes ownership of work.
- Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and execute quickly.
What helps you stand out:
- Knowledge and experience with crypto-asset products, stablecoins, and/or Banking-as-a-Service partnerships.
- Experience with IFSCA / GIFT City regulatory frameworks.
- Startup or high-growth company experience.
- Experience with international regulatory regimes and cross-border transactions beyond India.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Equity in a rapidly growing company.
- Opportunity to work in a fast-paced startup at the forefront of fintech innovation.
- Opportunity to make a significant impact on global financial infrastructure
- Collaborative work culture with emphasis on personal and professional growth.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.