OTC Trader
Luno · Cape Town, South Africa +1 · 1mo ago
About us:
Luno is the crypto investment app you can rely on, enabling you to buy, store and explore crypto securely. We’re committed to putting the power of cryptocurrency in everyone's hands sensibly and responsibly.
Since 2013, we’ve helped millions of people around the world invest safely in crypto. We do this by cutting through the hype and supporting customers at every step of the way. All products and cryptocurrencies on our platform must first meet stringent legal, risk and technical security standards.
Transparency is key for us. Luno stores all crypto on a 1:1 basis and we have rigorous processes in place so you can be confident your investment is secure. We’re available in more than 40 countries around the world and we work closely with respective regulators in all of these markets to be fully compliant, as we believe this is the best way to help everyone, everywhere, invest safely.
The role in a nutshell:
This is a front-line trading seat on Luno's OTC desk in South Africa, reporting to the Head of Trading. You'll price, execute and risk-manage large trades for customers who already trade with us in size — institutions, corporates and professional traders — in one of the world's most active crypto-fiat markets. Sitting within our Treasury team, you'll work with the rest of the OTC desk, in-country teams and relationship managers to turn that flow into a consistently profitable book.
It's a mid-level role built to grow. We intend to lead every market we operate in, and we're building the desk's future leadership from within: you'll start by running South African flow, take on new markets and strategies as we expand, and step toward senior desk leadership as the trading business scales. If your ambition is to one day run a desk, this is where you build the track record and client franchise to get there.
Your mission will be:
- Own the client book
- Be the voice of the desk for institutional customers and VIP traders: price and quote large OTC trades, source counter-trades, and execute with speed and discipline.
- Build durable relationships with those clients alongside our country teams and relationship managers — the goal is repeat flow, not one-off tickets.
- Manage the desk's working capital, ensuring anticipated trades are pre-funded or backed by adequate credit facilities.
- Own trade disputes end-to-end, and work with Trade Operations to settle every trade cleanly.
- Run execution and risk
- Execute across the book — OTC trades, counter-trades, and market counter-trades when matched flow falls through — always within approved trading strategies.
- Hedge Luno's market risk on its working capital and revenue streams, and execute revenue liquidation trades.
- Own the desk's P&L against targets and risk limits — you'll know your numbers cold and be able to defend every line of them.
- Shape trading strategy
- Drive the development of trading strategies across crypto and FX — OTC, hedging and revenue liquidation today; derivatives, arbitrage and warehousing as the desk matures — with risk management and profitability at the core.
- Read the market
- Produce in-depth analysis of digital asset markets: trends, opportunities and risks, plus the news, regulatory shifts and flows that move prices.
- Deliver the daily market read to the Treasury team, and push your insights into decisions made across Luno.
- Report with rigour
- Maintain accurate records of trades, P&L, risk and performance metrics — an auditable book is a credible book.
- Produce regular stakeholder reporting on trading activity, performance and market insight.
- Build the desk
- Spec improvements to Luno's trading and risk systems and shape our push into automation — helping us evolve from manual execution to a scaled, systematic operation.
- Pressure-test our risk frameworks and models, and make the case for changes as market dynamics shift.
A little about you:
- 3–5 years of trading experience within a sell-side OTC desk, market maker, prop desk or brokerage in crypto (preferred), FX, equities or derivatives.
- Your trading experience includes P/L responsibility based on Trade and Counter-trade within trade size limits, position limits, working capital etc (this is an OTC principal trader role rather than an execution trader role).
- Bachelor's in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Business Administration, Accounting or related discipline.
- Derivatives arbitrage knowledge or experience would be a plus.
- An advanced degree or professional qualification (CFA, CAIA, MBA) in a related field is beneficial.
- A successful broking / OTC trading track record across more than one market.
- Ambition to grow with the desk — you see this role as a step toward broader market ownership and, in time, trading leadership.
- Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic trading environment.
- Compliance with regulatory standards and a commitment to ethical trading practices.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in trade execution and documentation.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a strong team player.
- Friendly, transparent, articulate and driven to succeed.
- A passion for crypto.
Life at Luno:
- Remote but reachable work policy gives you the freedom to choose between working from home or the office.
- Plus the option to buy and sell up to 5 days leave
- Improve body and mind, with excellent private medical insurance
- Retirement fund benefit helping you build the financial foundation you need to enjoy your future to the fullest.
- Access to Learnably and our additional learning platforms for your personal and professional development
- 6 months primary care-giver leave
- Paw-ternity leave for your furry friend
- Annual Inspiration Day in addition to your annual leave which increases based on your length of service!
- A collaborative, friendly work community, with regular social events and virtual cooking, dancing, drawing and house planting classes hosted by our Lunauts
- Free lunch and snacks
- 0 fees up to a certain amount with Luno from the day you start.*
*Offer only available on Luno Instant Buy, not Luno Exchange.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.