Legal Counsel, Payments & Fintech

ABOUT YOU We are seeking an experienced Legal Counsel with a strong background in payments and fintech to join our dynamic legal team. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, highly dynamic environment and is excited to provide strategic legal guidance on payment processing, financial regulation, and digital innovation, while supporting the broader legal needs of a global commerce company. Strong analytical skills, exceptional communication abilities, and hands-on expertise with payments and financial regulations are essential, along with a proven track record in drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts and advising on compliance matters. The ability to manage multiple priorities, anticipate legal challenges, and collaborate across business and technology teams will be critical to your success in this role. If you are passionate about the intersection of payments, technology, and commerce — and enjoy helping a business launch compliant, compelling products across markets — we would love to hear from you. ABOUT US Xsolla is a global commerce company with robust tools and services to help developers solve the inherent challenges of the video game industry. From indie to AAA, companies partner with Xsolla to help them fund, distribute, market, and monetize their games. Headquartered and incorporated in Los Angeles, California, Xsolla operates as the merchant of record and has helped over 1,500+ game developers reach more players and grow their businesses around the world. As a merchant of record processing payments globally, Xsolla sits at the center of payments, fintech, and digital commerce. For more information, visit xsolla.com. Responsibilities: Draft, review, and negotiate agreements with payment service providers, acquirers, card networks, payment facilitators, banks, and other financial partners, securing commercially favorable terms and protecting the company’s interests. Advise on payment processing operations end-to-end, including onboarding new payment methods and providers, structuring global money flows and settlement, chargeback and refund frameworks, fund flows, and reserve/holdback arrangements. Advise on and support KYC/KYB, AML/CFT, sanctions screening, and customer due diligence requirements across markets, and help build practical onboarding and compliance processes with the business. Support the legal and regulatory requirements of connecting to payment systems and expanding into new markets, including licensing analysis, entity structuring, and the incorporation and maintenance of legal entities where required. Consult the business on the legal issues and implications of potential business decisions, initiatives, and payment strategies, providing clear legal advice, strategies, and practical solutions for general business and legal matters. Maintain current knowledge of laws and regulations governing payment services and digital innovation, including cryptocurrencies, blockchain, NFTs, and decentralized finance (DeFi). Identify, summarize, and analyze the impact of new and proposed rules and regulations on money movement, payment strategies, and current business initiatives. Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and other documentation for new business ideas, as well as licensing, vendor, and partnership agreements, ensuring they align with legal standards and company goals. Work closely with business and technology teams to understand and achieve key business objectives and help them develop compliant payment products and service offerings. Identify potential legal challenges early and propose practical solutions to address them. Manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines, and provide other legal services and advice to the company as needed. Qualifications & Skills: Licensed to practice law in the US, in good standing. At least 5 years of legal experience in fintech, banking, and/or payments, with demonstrated expertise in payments and familiarity with the applicable U.S. and international regulatory landscape (e.g., money transmission, BSA/AML, PSD2, MiCA, and card network rules). Proven ability to provide practical legal advice in a fast-paced business environment. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including product, technology, business operations, and management. Excellent drafting skills, with experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements, including payment processing, financial services, technology, licensing, vendor, and partnership agreements. Note: This is a remote position open to candidates anywhere in the US, with the ability to travel to our Los Angeles-area headquarters (Sherman Oaks, CA) approximately twice a year. Candidates based in the Los Angeles area are preferred but this is not mandatory. $150,000 - $160,000 a year Benefits: We are passionate about fostering a supportive environment for our team, so we prioritize the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of our employees and their families through a comprehensive Benefits Program. This includes 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision plans, unlimited Flexible Time Off, and a personalized career roadmap for each employee. By investing in professional development through training and educational opportunities, we ensure that our team thrives both personally and professionally. Together, we’re not just building a business; we’re cultivating a community that values creativity, collaboration, and the transformative power of play. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Xsolla is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with the Fair Chance Act. Criminal History Consideration: For the Legal Counsel position, we will conduct a background check that may include the following: Criminal history check Employment verification Education verification Relevance to Job Responsibilities: The background check is relevant to this position because of the following role responsibilities: Accessing confidential company data Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements Handling sensitive financial information/managing budgets/accessing funds Rights Under the Fair Chance Act: Applicants are encouraged to inquire about their rights under the Fair Chance Act. If you have questions regarding our hiring practices, please contact [email protected]. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.