Is the Crypto Company That You Are Applying To Legit ?

Welcome to the episode 16 of the 2nd season of “WE WERE ON A BREAK” - Ross Voice. The series where the host, Stephen Brent Sargeant (Compliance Consultant to Bitfinex) talks to industry professionals during the CoronaVirus (COVID-19) quarantine and gains industry insights and expertise. After my post about the crypto compliance job market yesterday, I got the following great questions:
What kind of due diligence candidates should do before joining companies?
Do you think just focusing on the funding a company received is a main factor in that decision?
With crypto companies being so new in the market and coming up with multiple products, how does a candidate make a call on this?

In this session, Stephen shares his insights on how to spot red flag with crypto employers and describes some of the best practices for researching crypto companies legitimacy and creditability. Joining a new startup is scary as it is, listen to this episode to avoid common pitfalls .
Mentioned in this episode: Breadcrumbs, Amber Scott, Circle Impact, Peter Warrack

**This interview was recorded on January 6, 2022

**Disclaimer**
The views and opinions expressed in this episode (and all episodes) are those of the host and the guests. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of their employers, contractors or any organization they may be affiliated with now or in the future.
Discussion Topics:
It’s all in the approach
•Random linkedin message without using your name / or telling you anything about the job
•Was it through a recruiter – is that recruiter reputable in the space
•Did the message seem spammy and they are slow to reply if you respond

Research The company
•Look for redflags
oAre they offering products without a compliance program
oDo they have existing Compliance program / policies procedures
oCheck their Terms of Service do they mention anything about AML or is it a very vague and general statement
oHigh turnover
oNegative media
oAre they in regulatory turmoil
oDid the company start after the bull run (conferences in 2017)
oSpeak to current and former employees and master connectors in the industry
Does this company fit what you want
•Remember the dream job requirements challenge amber gave me – does this position meet your requirements
oIf you growth and exposure you may go to a smaller company with a smaller team reporting directly to CCO/CAMLO
oIf you are looking to effect societal change than maybe companies like Circle with Circle Impact might be more appealing to you
oIf you want to travel – working for international organization or remote opportunities where travel may be more regular etc
Show Me The Money!! Maybe!
•Be weary of companies that are offering you way above average salary – there is usually some internal / external issues
•A company having capital is important / however you may be able to get in and get equity before the next raise and have some long term upside
•If you are a one man/woman show make sure you are well compensated as your duties will be big and its your reputation on the line
Don’t listen to me or anyone else
•Go with your gut / you always get a feeling when something doesn’t seem right
•Ask a lot of questions in the interviews around the things that matter to you (i.e culture etc.)
•Don’t be desperate or take shortcuts just for the sake of getting a job

Stephen Brent Sargeant (Host)
•LinkedIn (Best way to reach me) - linkedin.com/in/stephen-brent-sargeant-cams
•Instagram (Everyday type stuff) https://www.instagram.com/stephen_b_sargeant/
•Twitter (I communicate in GIFs) - https://twitter.com/lifesgt
•Business Related Matters (Let’s Collab): stephenbsargeant@gmail.com

Resources
•3 CRYPTO COMPLIANCE JOBS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED (LinkedIn Post) - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephen-brent-sargeant-cams_cryptocurrency-compliance-aml-activity-6884495612910411776-k5SE
•How To Be Crypto Compliance Ready In 2022 For Less Than $250 - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephen-brent-sargeant-cams_aml-compliance-blockchain-activity-6878701236447674368-XIP2
•The Chainalysis Crypto Crime Report: https://go.chainalysis.com/2021-Crypto-Crime-Report-demo.html?aliId=eyJpIjoiSFhodzNcL0tGMFkySzV5TlUiLCJ0IjoibE1TWFwvTDM2Y0lENHJhVFpOekVQeUE9PSJ9
•The Elliptic Typologies Report https://www.elliptic.co/resources/typologies-concise-guide-crypto-leaders
•TRM Talks – Short 10 minute webinars: https://www.trmlabs.com/category/trm-talks
•Intro To Cryptocurrency Forensics & Investigation: https://www.udemy.com/course/intro-to-cryptocurrency-forensics-investigation/
•Certified Bitcoin Professional: https://cryptoconsortium.org/certifications/cbp/
•Mastering Blockchain: https://www.amazon.ca/Mastering-Blockchain-Cryptocurrencies-Decentralized-Applications/dp/1492054704/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1RHT8RMV0SRDY&keywords=mastering+blockchain&qid=1639972556&s=books&sprefix=mastering+blockc%2Cstripbooks%2C74&sr=1-4
•Investigating Cryptocurrencies: https://www.amazon.ca/Investigating-Cryptocurrencies-Understanding-Extracting-Blockchain/dp/1119480582


Background Music (beat name: Leslie)
•Goose Goddi (Music Producer) - https://instagram.com/goosegoddi?igshid=1paia8lwy2x3o
•Beats Can Be Found On Amazon Music - https://www.amazon.com/Music-Station-Goose-Goddi/dp/B08B4BLCH1