Vice President of Business Development

Job Title: Vice President of Business Development

Department: Global Business Growth & Strategic Partnerships

Reporting to: Executive Vice President (EVP) / Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Location: Los Angeles, California / Hybrid

Company Introduction

Upbit is one of the world’s leading digital asset trading platforms, recognized for its security, institutional-grade compliance standards, and trusted ecosystem serving millions of users globally. Operated by Dunamu, a top-tier fintech innovator, Upbit provides comprehensive digital asset trading solutions, custody services, market infrastructure, and blockchain-driven financial products.

With strong operations across Asia and a rapidly expanding international footprint, Upbit is now establishing a strategic growth hub in the Americas. The Los Angeles center will drive business expansion, institutional market development, global partnership initiatives, and cross-border innovation.

Upbit’s mission is to advance a secure, transparent, and globally accessible digital asset economy. By combining regulatory leadership, cutting-edge technology, and deep ecosystem collaboration, the company aims to strengthen its position as a global powerhouse in crypto finance and Web3 innovation.

Job Overview

The Vice President of Business Development will be a key executive leader responsible for shaping and executing Upbit’s global business expansion strategy. This role drives revenue growth, institutional relationships, ecosystem partnerships, and strategic market opportunities across the Americas and worldwide.

Reporting directly to the CEO and EVP, the VP of Business Development will work closely with Product, Operations, Compliance, Institutional Coverage, Engineering, Marketing, and Global Strategy teams. The ideal candidate is a senior business leader with extensive experience in fintech, crypto exchanges, institutional sales, or digital asset ecosystems, capable of turning market insights into strategic growth initiatives and long-term commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

Business Growth Strategy & Leadership

Define and lead Upbit’s global business development strategy across institutional, enterprise, and retail market segments.

Build multi-year expansion roadmaps covering partnerships, market penetration, and revenue diversification.

Translate Upbit’s mission of secure and compliant digital asset access into actionable business priorities.

Collaborate with the CEO/EVP to align regional and global BD initiatives with corporate strategy.

Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Expansion

Identify, negotiate, and secure high-value partnerships with institutional investors, blockchain networks, liquidity providers, payment firms, and infrastructure partners.

Drive Web3 and digital asset ecosystem collaborations that strengthen Upbit’s global influence.

Lead joint venture explorations, cross-border alliances, and strategic investments.

Support global listing strategies and industry partnerships to enhance market competitiveness.

Institutional Market Development

Expand Upbit’s institutional business across trading firms, market makers, hedge funds, asset managers, and enterprise clients.

Build tailored engagement frameworks and high-touch relationship models for VIP and institutional users.

Oversee BD initiatives related to liquidity expansion, OTC services, custody collaborations, and trading infrastructure.

Market Expansion & Americas Growth

Develop and execute strategies to strengthen Upbit’s presence across North and South America.

Identify new regulatory-compliant market entry opportunities and cross-border business pathways.

Represent Upbit in discussions with industry bodies, regional partners, and enterprise stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Product and Engineering teams to ensure market needs influence product roadmaps and exchange innovations.

Collaborate with Compliance and Legal teams to ensure BD activities align with international regulatory frameworks.

Work with Marketing and Communications to support go-to-market initiatives and brand positioning.

Data-Driven Insights & Commercial Optimization

Establish BD performance metrics, pipeline analytics, and growth dashboards.

Conduct in-depth market and competitor analysis to guide commercial strategy.

Continuously refine partnership frameworks, deal structures, and institutional offerings for maximum impact.

Leadership & Organizational Development

Build and lead a high-performance business development organization across regions.

Foster a culture of innovation, commercial excellence, and strategic thinking.

Strengthen communication, alignment, and operational discipline across global teams.

Qualifications

20 years of leadership experience in business development, partnerships, institutional sales, or commercial strategy.

Significant experience in cryptocurrency, fintech, financial services, or large-scale platform ecosystems.

Proven success driving revenue growth, forming strategic alliances, and leading international market expansion.

Deep understanding of digital asset markets, liquidity mechanisms, trading infrastructure, and regulatory dynamics.

Strong expertise in strategic planning, deal negotiation, commercial modeling, and cross-functional leadership.

Exceptional communication skills, executive presence, and stakeholder management abilities.

Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Core Competencies

Strategic Vision: Shapes long-term global BD and expansion strategies.

Crypto/Fintech Expertise: Understands institutional client behavior and digital asset market trends.

Commercial Leadership: Converts market opportunities into scalable revenue growth.

Cross-Functional Alignment: Works seamlessly with Product, Compliance, Engineering, and Operations.

Innovation & Partnerships: Identifies emerging opportunities across the Web3 and digital asset landscape.

Global Mindset: Operates effectively within diverse regulatory and cultural environments.

Benefits

Competitive executive compensation with performance-based incentives.

Eligibility for long-term equity or token-linked incentive programs.

Comprehensive health, insurance, and retirement benefits.

Relocation and mobility support for qualified candidates.

Opportunities to represent Upbit at global crypto, fintech, and institutional finance events.

Expected Outcomes (12–18 Months)

Deliver a unified global business development strategy aligned with Upbit’s long-term growth vision.

Establish major institutional and strategic partnerships across the Americas.

Expand Upbit’s market presence through compliant, high-impact regional initiatives.

Strengthen Upbit’s position as a global leader in digital asset markets and Web3 collaboration.

Build a scalable BD organization capable of supporting multi-market expansion.