Principal, Business Development - xStocks

About Kraken

Krakenites are a world-class team with crypto conviction, united by our desire to discover and unlock the potential of crypto and blockchain technology.

Our Mission: To accelerate the global adoption of crypto, so that everyone can achieve financial freedom and inclusion.

Our Culture: Kraken is a mission-focused company rooted in crypto values. As a Krakenite, you’ll join us on our mission to accelerate the global adoption of crypto, so that everyone can achieve financial freedom and inclusion. For over a decade, Kraken’s focus on our mission and crypto ethos has attracted many of the most talented crypto experts in the world.

Remote Work: As a fully remote company, we have Krakenites in 70+ countries who speak over 50 languages.

Products: Krakenites are industry pioneers who develop premium crypto products for experienced traders, institutions, and newcomers to the space. Kraken is committed to industry-leading security, crypto education, and world-class client support through our products like Kraken Pro, Desktop, Wallet, and Kraken Futures.

The Role

Employment Type: FullTime Location Type: Remote Salary: $146K - $234K

Reporting to: General Manager of xStocks

Team: Equities team at Kraken, focused on the combined roadmap of traditional equities products and tokenized equities.

Core Responsibility: Expand Kraken's footprint across the crypto ecosystem by identifying, negotiating, and securing high-impact partnerships with crypto exchanges, wallets, custodians, liquidity providers, DeFi platforms, and other blockchain projects. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the adoption and growth of xStocks by driving strategic collaborations that position Kraken at the forefront of tokenized asset innovation.

The Opportunity

• Identify and pursue strategic partnership opportunities within the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem.
• Serve as the go-to lead for tokenized equities, representing xStocks with multiple exchanges, DeFi players, and institutional partners.
• Build and execute partnership strategies aligned with xStocks’ international growth roadmap, especially across APAC and other emerging markets.
• Act as a thought partner to our product, legal, marketing, and compliance teams, ensuring partner integrations are smooth, compliant, and value-driving.
• Educate and support internal and external stakeholders—especially those from TradFi backgrounds—on the distinctions and advantages of tokenized equities compared to traditional financial instruments.
• Maintain a pulse on evolving DeFi ecosystems, token standards, and on-chain protocols to inform partnership decisions.
• Represent xStocks at key industry events and conferences (occasional travel expected, ~1 week/month).
• Collaborate cross-functionally with team leads, including geo-expansion, international partnerships, and regional leads.

Skills You Should HODL

• Minimum 5+ years in business development, strategic partnerships, or sales within crypto, DeFi, digital assets, or capital markets.
• Strong understanding of on-chain infrastructure, tokenized assets, and the DeFi ecosystem—bonus points for existing networks and contacts in the space.
• Experience working with brokerages, trading desks, or capital markets infrastructure—must understand market structure and implications for tokenized assets.
• Proven success in negotiating and managing high-impact, cross-border partnerships.
• Entrepreneurial, collaborative, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.