Remote Crypto Research Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Circle (NYSE: CRCL) is one of the world's leading internet financial platform companies, building the foundation of a more open, global economy through digital assets, payment applications, and programmable blockchain infrastructure. Circle's platform includes the world's largest regulated stablecoin network anchored by USDC, Circle Payments Network for global money movement, and Arc, an enterprise-grade blockchain designed to become the Economic OS for the internet. Enterprises, financial institutions, and developers use Circle to power trusted, internet-scale financial innovation. Learn more at circle.com.

What you'll be part of:

Circle is committed to visibility and stability in everything we do. As we grow as an organization, we're expanding into some of the world's strongest jurisdictions. Speed and efficiency are motivators for our success and our employees live by our company values: High Integrity, Future Forward, Multistakeholder, Mindful, and Driven by Excellence. We have built a flexible work environment where new ideas are encouraged and everyone is a stakeholder.

What you'll be responsible for

Circle is seeking a Lead Product Manager, Token within the Arc product team to define and lead the exploration of utility token opportunities for the Arc ecosystem. This individual will help Circle shape the economic model, governance framework, and feature design of a potential native token on the Arc network.

You will work cross-functionally with Product, Business, Engineering, Data, Treasury, Legal, and Policy teams as we explore potential token design mechanisms - from validator and staking models to community participation, incentive structures, and governance evolution.

This role sits at the intersection of economics, onchain governance, and ecosystem design, and is central to Circle's vision for a new financial internet.

What you'll work on

• Design a potential token and governance architecture: Develop and contribute to a potential token design, tokenomics and phased roadmap for Arc and related ecosystem parties.

• Model economic systems and incentive structures: Create simulations and scenario analyses to evaluate token distributions, validator rewards, staking mechanisms, and incentive structures that drive usage of the Arc network.

• Operationalize governance frameworks: Define systems, tooling, and processes for onchain and offchain governance - from proposal frameworks to validator councils and community engagement.

• Collaborate cross-functionally: Partner with Circle's Product, Legal, Policy, and Treasury teams to ensure regulatory alignment and financial soundness.

• Engage the broader community: Develop documentation, playbooks, and forums to educate and activate participants - from developers to institutions to users.

• Benchmark and research: Continuously analyze market-leading governance systems, token designs, and economic mechanisms to inform Circle's approach.

What you'll bring to Circle

• 5+ years of experience across crypto research, token design, protocol economics, or governance operations.

• Deep understanding of tokenomics, game theory, and token governance.

• Strong analytical skills; experience running financial or economic models for token ecosystems.

• Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional workstreams - influencing without authority.

• Ability to distill technical concepts into clear frameworks and communications.

• Strategic mindset with bias toward execution and measurable ecosystem outcomes.

• Experience with onchain protocols or staking economics strongly preferred.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  

Circle is on a mission to create an inclusive financial future, with transparency at our core. We consider a wide variety of elements when crafting our compensation ranges and total compensation packages.

Starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to: relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, and other business and organizational needs. Please note that compensation ranges may differ for candidates in other locations.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, or any other protected status required by the laws in the locations where we hire. Additionally, Circle participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law.

Should you require accommodations or assistance in our interview process because of a disability, please reach out toaccommodations@circle.comfor support. We respect your privacy and will connect with you separately from our interview process to accommodate your needs.

#LI-Remote