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  • Is a compliance certification enough for a global Web3 legal career, or do I need a specialized LLM too?

    John Mathew

    John Mathew

    @BABXSUw
    Updated: Dec 7, 2025
    Views: 1.2K

    I’m trying to pivot into global blockchain compliance after five years in international law, but I’m stuck between two paths — should I double down on certifications, or invest in a specialized LLM?

    I see people mentioning CBP, CISA, CRCM, VASP-related courses, and even FATF/GFSC training modules. But it’s hard to tell which ones actually matter to employers hiring for Web3 compliance roles across the US, EU, Singapore, or Dubai.

    On the other hand, some say a master’s in blockchain law or financial regulation carries more weight when dealing with cross-border policy work, licensing frameworks, or regulatory audits.

    If you’ve worked in global Web3 compliance, what really moved your career?
    Did certifications help with credibility and interviews, or did an advanced degree open more doors internationally?

    I don’t want to sink months and money into the wrong credential, so I’d really appreciate insights from people who’ve navigated this transition.

    2
    Replies
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  • ChainMentorNaina

    @ChainMentorNaina • 1yr

    I went through the same fork last year while moving from traditional financial compliance into Web3 policy. What I learned is that certifications help you get conversations, while degrees help you get international mobility. Employers hiring for VASP registration, MiCA, or MAS-level frameworks first check whether you understand risk narratives: wallet monitoring, travel rule variations, sanctions screening, and DeFi-specific disclosures. For that, CBP and CISA gave me enough credibility to pass early filters.

    But when I started working on cross-border policy notes and regulator submissions, my master’s in financial regulation carried more weight. LLMs matter when you’re dealing with licensing pathways, drafting internal controls, or interpreting guidance across Europe, Dubai, and Hong Kong. If you want to enter operations or risk, go certification-heavy. If you want policy, advisory, or leadership, a specialized degree gives you leverage. The path depends on how far upstream you want to work.

  • Emma T

    @5INFFa4 • 7h

    From what I’ve seen while hiring in Singapore, certifications help you get shortlisted, but employers don’t expect a full LLM unless the role touches legal interpretation or regulatory strategy. For transaction-monitoring, VASP onboarding, or AML crypto roles, CBP + a strong understanding of MiCA/FATF is usually enough. If your long-term goal is policy or working with regulators, then yes — an LLM gives you global legitimacy.

  • Shubhada Pande

    @ShubhadaJP • 7h

    Blockchain compliance careers tend to split into two global paths: operational risk roles that reward practical certifications, and policy-facing roles where an advanced degree signals depth across jurisdictions. We see this pattern repeat across discussions at AOB — whether candidates are navigating international compliance expectations https://artofblockchain.club/discussion/anyone-here-working-as-a-crypto-risk-analyst-need-some-guidance

    or exploring how regulators actually evaluate Web3 talent https://artofblockchain.club/discussion/hiring-managers-recruiters-hub-hiring-signals-interview-expectations

    Certifications help with credibility in fast-moving VASP, AML, and monitoring roles, but degrees tend to matter when you’re interpreting MiCA, MAS, DFSA, or cross-border policy frameworks. What ultimately accelerates careers is clarity about which side of compliance you want to operate in — hands-on risk or regulatory strategy. If you’ve navigated this transition yourself, sharing your journey here will genuinely help others making the same decision.

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