If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes to jump into crypto compliance—the kind that banks and regulators pay attention to—this post is for you.
We’re not talking about meme coins and Discord mods. This is about joining the growing movement to bring safety, legitimacy, and structure to one of the most disruptive financial technologies in a generation.
Stephen Sargeant recently posted a must-read on LinkedIn calling for hybrid AML/compliance pros who are curious, coachable, and grounded in real-world systems. That post didn’t just announce a job opening—it outlined what real readiness for crypto AML looks like. Let’s unpack that, along with the bigger picture of what it means to build a career in this space.
Why Crypto Compliance Is Hot Right Now
Regulatory momentum is accelerating on U.S. soil. With the passage of the GENIUS Act at the federal level, the potential passage of the CLARITY Act, and California’s sweeping Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL) set to take effect, the landscape for crypto oversight is shifting fast. Add to this the growing volume of targeted, state-level crypto legislation across the country, and it’s clear that compliance expectations are strengthening, taking on greater complexity, and evolving rapidly.
Is This You? (A Crypto AML Readiness Checklist)
Based on Stephen Sargeant’s LinkedIn post, here’s a gut-check list for whether you’re ready for a crypto compliance role:
- Hybrid-Ready Pros: You’re based in a major U.S. city and don’t mind in-office days (eventually 4/week).
- TradFi AML Vets: You’ve done the bank grind. You know SARs, escalation flows, and transaction monitoring like the back of your hand.
- Up-and-Coming Investigators: You’ve dabbled in blockchain investigations or completed training like Chainalysis CRC.
- Compensation Realists: You’re okay with bank-style salaries to gain crypto exposure. The long-term payoff matters more. (One step back for a giant long jump forward.)
- Coachability & Curiosity: You ask questions. You write things down. You build systems to understand systems.
- No Tourists: You’re not just “interested” in crypto—you’ve put in the work or are actively doing so.
What You Need: Skills & Certifications
To succeed in this space, you need:
- Regulatory Fluency: AML, KYC, sanctions, and a clear grasp of FATF guidance and FinCEN expectations. State money transmitter license knowledge is a plus!
- Technical Literacy: Know your way around VASPs, stablecoins, altcoins, wallets, mixers, and transaction monitoring tools.
- Certifications That Matter:
- CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist)
- CRC (Chainalysis Reactor Certification)
- CCAS or TRM-CCS (crypto-specific credentials)
- Soft Skills:
- Analytical thinking
- Clear communication
- Decision-making under pressure
This combo is your bridge between traditional compliance and the crypto-native world.
Crypto adds a twist to each role—you’re not just enforcing policy, you’re helping write it for a new financial system.
Real Challenges to Expect
This space is fast-moving and resource-constrained. Expect:
- Evolving Rules: What’s compliant today may not be enough tomorrow.
- Tool Overload: Multiple dashboards, constantly shifting data sources.
- DIY Infrastructure: Some companies are still building basic controls.
- Accountability: There’s no “just following orders.” You own outcomes.
How to Make the Pivot
So how do you actually break in?
- Hands-On Learning: Use free Chainalysis tools, read real blockchain investigations, trace public wallet flows. Crypto is better experienced than explained.
- Certify Strategically: CAMS is the gold standard. CRC or TRM-CCS signal practical, crypto-specific chops.
- Network Up: Join Telegram groups, comment on LinkedIn posts, attend AML/crypto webinars.
- Stay Curious: Read guidance from FinCEN, FATF, state and local regulators. Read BitAML’s ongoing blog.
What You Can’t Learn in the Classroom
Crypto is very different from many traditional financial crime compliance roles. Professionals not ONLY need to have all of the skills, certifications and industry breaking strategies, they need to have a level of grit that is hard to measure.
I think many of us can remember the housing bubble in 2008, which seems like the last time the traditional financial market was on the brink of extinction and what led to the innovation of cryptocurrency as we know it today. Well crypto has been documented as “dead” hundreds of times spanning that time. Not to mention, if you are or have worked for a traditional financial institution in the past, you have undoubtedly been taught that crypto is bad, used only for money laundering, and serves no practical purpose.
Crypto compliance folks have to be extremely resistant and have to be prepared for the industry to change dramatically within months if not weeks. A tweet, a new regulatory bill, a cryptocurrency price collapse, or a marketplace sneeze can shift the crypto space in very unpredictable directions.
Industry professionals have to be extremely resourceful and get used to rejection and constant market fluctuations. As someone that has been actively in the space for 8 years, the only thing that has been a guarantee, was the constant change of markets.
Always be learning. Stay on the offensive in your career and find ways to contribute to the industry, not just your own wallet.
Final Word: This Isn’t a Leap. It’s a Step Forward.
Crypto compliance isn’t about abandoning what you know—it’s about applying it in a new and urgent context. If you’ve built your career on trust, accuracy, and curiosity, this industry needs you.
Curious how your compliance background can translate into crypto—and want help making that pivot stronger and smoother? Let’s talk. Book a discovery call with BitAML and start building your crypto compliance roadmap.
Contributor Note:
The section titled “What You Can’t Learn In The Classroom” was contributed by Stephen Brent Sargeant, Founder and Chief Web3 Officer at Airdropd. Stephen is one of the most respected voices in crypto compliance and a mentor to many AML professionals making the leap into digital assets. We’re grateful for his generous insights and continued leadership in the space.
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