Head of Capital Markets

Stronghold is a fintech infrastructure company reimagining how money moves—securely, transparently, and with next-gen compliance at its core. We provide developer-friendly APIs that power fast, secure pay-by-bank and embedded payments. Our SHx token brings a new layer of utility to our ecosystem, supporting merchant rewards, governance, and decentralized financing.

We're also an AI-forward company. At Stronghold, AI isn't a buzzword—it's foundational. We integrate AI tools and workflows into every department, from product development and engineering, to finance, marketing, compliance, and operations. AI accelerates our decision-making, enhances our customer experience, and enables every team member to operate at a higher level of efficiency and creativity.

Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with deep roots in New Zealand, we operate with a global mindset and local grit. We’re a diverse team of technologists, operators, and industry experts driven by curiosity and impact. At Stronghold, we value speed over red tape, substance over flash, and innovation without ego.

Our core values: Be Self-Aware, Have Good Judgment, Be Curious, Seek Innovation, Communicate Clearly, Make a High Impact, Be Bold, Be Selfless, Be Accountable, Be Honest, and Show Grit.

About the Role

Stronghold has entered a phase of hyper-growth and we are looking for a leader to run our SHx Markets vertical. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in capital markets and managing relationships across both crypto and traditional institutional participants. This leader will be responsible for expanding SHx markets infrastructure and assisting company efforts to grow market makers, add more brokers, exchange listings, and develop other institutional relationships and partnerships. This leader will work closely with a team of financial professionals on the SHx Markets team, they will be responsible for managing and expanding SHx liquidity to enhance utility and the health of the SHx ecosystem. Stronghold’s mission is to provide fast, secure, and accessible financial services for all  required digital asset efficiency and a healthy crypto market. Robust liquidity is a core component of making that mission a reality.

The Head of Markets will have a deep understanding of market structure, clearing, settlement, prime brokerage, and custody.  This leader will apply their  knowledge to the development of SHx markets. We seek a candidate with a vast network and a  stellar reputation with traditional market participants.

We’re looking for an entrepreneurial and experienced professional who excels at working with a distributed team. This person can think creatively about  how markets need to adapt to support potentially paradigm-shifting technology.

What You'll Do

• Manage relationships with market makers, brokers, exchanges, liquidators, and institutional market participants globally

• Work closely with the Markets Team to help guide company strategy for enterprise-grade infrastructure and solutions to attract and broaden SHx markets ecosystem

• Manage relationships with key traditional market participants such as OTC trading desks, brokers, quantitative market makers, custodians, institutional market participants and prime brokers

• Explore new and innovative ways to partner with existing market participants to accelerate SHx liquidity growth

• Help develop crypto and traditional market infrastructure for SHx

• Partner with internal stakeholders - product, engineering, business development, leadership - to construct the appropriate strategy for the market buildout

• Collaborate with compliance, legal, business, and finance  to ensure efficient and compliant strategy execution

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years experience in markets, with a focus on FX or commodities

• 5+ years of management experience5+ years of business development and/or experience building strategic partnerships

• Experienced negotiator who is excited by partnerships and deal-making

• Preference for being both strategic and execution-oriented

• A deep understanding of market structure and liquidity landscape

• Familiarity with the cryptocurrency liquidity ecosystemAbility to work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders

• Passion for payments, fintech, and Stronghold’s mission

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skillsSerious attention to detail and a commitment to excellence

• MBA or equivalent preferred

This role is based in our San Francisco Office and will be required to come on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday.

As an equal opportunity employer, Stronghold does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Authorized to work in the United States (required)

No visa sponsorship available at this time