AML Operations Analyst

About the role

You will join a global team focused on mitigating risks related to money laundering, terrorist financing, and sanctions. This position involves managing complex investigations and ensuring our platform remains compliant with international regulations while supporting our operations across Africa, Asia Pacific, and the UK. You will own the end-to-end lifecycle of high-risk investigations, balancing meticulous attention to detail with the ability to communicate findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. The role requires a proactive mindset to identify emerging risks within the crypto ecosystem and to translate regulatory ambiguity into actionable internal controls. You will be a critical line of defense responsible for protecting the integrity of the platform and its users. Success in this position depends on your capacity to work independently while collaborating effectively within a distributed, cross-functional environment. You will contribute directly to the development of robust financial crime processes that scale with the growth of the business.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Review screening alerts for customers, employees, and vendors using LSEG Refinitiv WorldcheckOne.
• Conduct deep-dive transactional investigations using Chainalysis KYT and Reactor.
• Manage transaction monitoring alerts via ComplyAdvantage.
• Handle Travel Rule responsibilities, including VASP due diligence and Zendesk ticket management.
• Prepare documentation for regulatory audits and information requests.
• Collaborate with internal departments like Engineering, Product, and Legal to address financial crime risks.
• Draft and update Standard Operating Procedures to reflect changing regulatory requirements.
• Analyze blockchain data to trace fund flows and identify potential illicit activity.
• Perform case-based analysis to determine risk scores and escalate complex matters to senior management.
• Monitor adverse media and politically exposed person (PEP) changes to maintain accurate risk profiles.
• Validate the accuracy of customer-provided source of wealth and source of funds information.
• Process sanctions list matches and determine appropriate escalation or closure actions.
• Support the testing of new monitoring rules and logic to improve detection accuracy.
• Review and verify closure documentation to ensure investigations meet regulatory expectations.
• Coordinate with regional teams to ensure consistent application of AML policies across jurisdictions.
• Maintain detailed case notes in accordance with audit standards and regulatory requirements.
• Identify trends and anomalies within transaction data to support continuous process improvement.
• Assist in the development of training materials for new joiners regarding financial crime protocols.
• Ensure all operational tasks are completed within defined service level agreements.
• Act as a subject matter expert on crypto-specific financial crime typologies for the wider organization.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in AML, CTF, CPF, or sanctions compliance.
• Ability to perform detailed customer account monitoring and due diligence.
• Proficiency in interpreting transactional behavior and identifying potential red flags.
• Capability to file regulatory reports independently in coordination with the MLRO.
• Strong understanding of crypto-specific regulations and financial crime typologies.
• Experience managing professional communication with external stakeholders and regulators.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word.
• Willingness to adhere to strict data confidentiality and information security protocols.
• Understanding of regulatory obligations related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.
• Commitment to following standard operating procedures and internal controls.
• Readiness to participate in regular performance feedback and continuous learning initiatives.

Nice to have

• Tertiary degree or equivalent graduate-level qualification.
• Experience with GeoComply, Notabene, Databricks, or ThoughtSpot.

Practical notes

Luno offers a remote-friendly work policy, private medical insurance, and access to learning platforms like Learnably. Benefits include 6 months of primary caregiver leave, paw-ternity leave, the option to purchase additional leave, and an annual Inspiration Day. Employees receive free lunch and snacks when in the office and zero-fee trading on Luno Instant Buy. Luno is an equal opportunity employer.