Proposal: Request for Quotes for Compliance Officer for Panther DAO Management Zone

Panther Improvement Proposals (PIPs)
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Overview

The Panther Protocol DAO is seeking quotes from qualified candidates or entities to serve as a Compliance Officer for the DAO Management Zone. This role is critical to ensuring that our privacy-preserving DeFi protocol remains compliant with regulatory requirements while maintaining our commitment to decentralization and user privacy. The DAO will review and vote on all submitted bids to select the most suitable candidate or service provider.

This proposal aligns with Panther’s mission to balance privacy and compliance, leveraging tools like Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) and partnerships with compliance providers such as PureFi, as outlined in our recent integrations (see PureFi Partnership Announcement).

Role Description

The Compliance Officer will oversee compliance-related activities for the DAO Management Zone, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards while preserving the protocol’s decentralized ethos. The role is expected to require minimal but consistent effort, with key responsibilities including:

  • Handling Lawful Requests: Work with PureFi, our KYC/KYT compliance provider, to address lawful requests from authorities, such as requests to freeze or de-anonymize specific zAccounts or transactions, using Panther’s Data Escrow and ZK Reveal mechanisms.
  • Maintaining Blacklists/Allowlists: Ensure the DAO Management Zone’s compliance by maintaining and updating blacklists (e.g., for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) or flagged addresses) and allowlists, in coordination with PureFi’s on-chain verification tools.
  • Regulatory Coordination: Respond to regulatory inquiries or suspicious activity reports, ensuring only the minimum necessary data is disclosed via selective disclosure mechanisms (ZK Reveals or Non-ZK Reveals, as required).
  • DAO Governance Support: Collaborate with the Panther DAO to propose and implement compliance-related updates, such as changes to Zone rules or allowlisted assets, subject to DAO approval via Panther Improvement Proposals (PIPs).

The role will not involve processing user data directly, as this is handled by PureFi or other Zone Managers’ selected compliance providers. Instead, the Compliance Officer will act as a liaison to ensure compliance processes align with Panther’s decentralized framework and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

  • Experience in regulatory compliance, preferably in DeFi, blockchain, or financial services.
  • Familiarity with AML/KYC/KYT frameworks and privacy-preserving technologies (e.g., ZKPs, Shielded Pools).
  • Understanding of decentralized governance and DAO operations.
  • Ability to work with PureFi’s compliance tools and Panther’s Zone architecture.
  • Strong communication skills to engage with the DAO community and external regulators.

Submission Guidelines

Interested candidates or entities should submit their quotes to the Panther DAO Forum by July 21, 2025. Please include the following in your proposal:

  1. Background and Experience: A brief overview of your qualifications and relevant experience in compliance and/or DeFi.
  2. Proposed Scope and Hours: An estimate of the time commitment (e.g., hours per month) and how you plan to fulfill the role’s responsibilities.
  3. Compensation Quote: Specify your requested compensation (in USD, ZKP tokens, or stablecoins) for the role, considering the expected low time commitment.
  4. Approach to Privacy and Compliance: A short statement on how you will balance Panther’s privacy-first mission with regulatory compliance, particularly in collaboration with PureFi.
  5. Contact Information: For follow-up discussions with the DAO.

Submissions should be posted as replies to this thread or sent privately to the DAO admin team via the Panther Protocol Documentation Portal.

Voting Process

  • The DAO will review all submissions and shortlist candidates based on qualifications and alignment with Panther’s mission.
  • A Panther Improvement Proposal (PIP) will be created to vote on the selected candidate or entity, requiring a majority of staked $ZKP token holders to approve (as per existing governance rules, see Proposal #6).
  • Voting will take place on Snapshot.org, with details announced after the submission deadline.

Timeline

  • Submission Deadline: July 21, 2025
  • DAO Review Period: July 22–28, 2025
  • PIP Voting: July 29–August 4, 2025
  • Role Commencement: August 15, 2025 (tentative)

Why This Matters

The Compliance Officer role is a pivotal step in strengthening the Panther DAO’s ability to operate a secure, compliant, and privacy-preserving DeFi ecosystem. By integrating with PureFi and leveraging ZKPs, we aim to set a new standard for decentralized finance that meets regulatory expectations without compromising user privacy. Your expertise will help ensure that our Management Zone remains a trusted and compliant environment for all participants.

We look forward to your submissions and to working together to advance Panther’s vision!

References:
Preparing the Panther DAO for the mainnet launch
[Proposal] Launching a DAO-Operated Zone — With KYC, Compliance, and Community Safety in Mind

  • PureFi Partnership Announcement
  • Panther Protocol Documentation
4 Likes
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Hey @ToXiC_eHC!

I think that having a well-experienced Compliance Officer is indeed a welcome addition to the Panther DAO’s operations. Based on my experience, I would def hereby suggest considering @nistelki for the role as she has contributed to Panther and Binance as a compliance officer before and is an expert on pretty much everything outlined above.

1 Like
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Great, @nistelki - would you be able to review and provide us with the estimated as detailed in the Submission Guidelines section.

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Hi @ToXiC_eHC

  1. Just to give a summary of my background -

Compliance experience:
I have diverse compliance experience across crypto and traditional finance sectors. My roles have included senior compliance officer CTBC Private Banking, UBS AG, and Bank of Singapore, HSBC Global Markets, demonstrating a strong background in financial compliance.

Crypto/blockchain experience:
I also have extensive professional experience in the crypto/blockchain space, including:

• Compliance Systems and Controls Specialist at Binance

• Provided compliance consulting with Digital Nomad Labs for token projects to be listed on major crypto exchanges

• Worked as a Blockchain Compliance Consultant for a stablecoin named Deep Blue

• Served as Compliance Consultant and Head of Compliance for Panther Protocol

• Assisted a Crypto Card FinTech (Plutus) with their compliance licensing program with FCA

  1. I am be able to contribute 5-10 hours each month, depending the need from DAO

  2. £150 for hourly rate, can accept USD, USDC

  3. I believe we can preserve user privacy by implementing intelligent, risk-based compliance layers. My approach would focus on maintaining a strong relationship with PureFi to enhance the compliance technology while also to involve in conversations with regulators / working groups to strengthen the privacy in the regulated space.

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Hi all, I’d like to throw my hat in the ring for the Compliance Officer role.

I hold a diploma in Accounting and Business/Management and have professional experience working with one of the Big Four firms. I’m also a Panther DAO Council member, giving me direct insight into our DAO’s operations, governance, and contributor coordination.

I’m an active and engaged community member with strong financial and organisational experience. I’m fully committed to the role and will dedicate time outside of DAO hours to complete relevant AML and compliance training as needed. I also have access to compliance expertise through close family working in crypto compliance, which I can consult if necessary.

I’m able to commit up to 20 hours per month, including outside regular hours, and propose a rate of £70/hour paid in ZKP.

2 Likes
6

While we as a DAO deeply respect and appreciate every member’s commitment to the cause, I believe that for the long-term success of both the DAO and the protocol, it is crucial to involve someone with direct, relevant experience in this field.

As we prepare to launch the mainnet, I strongly recommend and support the idea of bringing on @nistelki. Her prior, hands-on involvement with Panther Protocol makes her uniquely qualified to help shape the DAO’s strategic roadmap.

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Good morning I present to you the Draft for PIP-24:
# PIP-24: Grant Request for Compliance Officer Appointment

## Introduction

As outlined in the Panther Protocol v1 Launch Process, the first key task in the roadmap to activate the v1 mainnet is appointing a Compliance Officer and securing funding for their compensation. The Compliance Officer is essential for ensuring regulatory compliance within the DAO-managed zone. This proposal (PIP-24) nominates two candidates—nistelki and Praetorian—for the role based on their quoted terms and requests a grant from the Panther Foundation to cover the selected candidate’s stipend.

## Proposal Objectives

1. **Secure Funding**: Request a grant from the Panther Foundation to cover the Compliance Officer’s compensation.

2. **Appoint Compliance Officer**: Nominate nistelki and Praetorian as candidates for the Compliance Officer role to manage regulatory compliance duties, with the community voting to select one.

## Section 1: Grant Request for Compliance Officer Compensation

### Need for Funding

The Compliance Officer role requires compensation for performing essential duties for the DAO-managed zone. Two candidates have been nominated, with the following compensation details:

- **nistelki**: 5-10 hours per month at $150/hour (payable in USD or USDC). Assuming an average of 7.5 hours/month, the monthly cost is $1,125 (7.5 hours × $150/hour).

- **Praetorian**: Up to 20 hours per month at £70/hour (approximately $87.50/hour, payable in ZKP). Assuming 20 hours/month, the monthly cost is approximately £1,400 or $1,750 (20 hours × $87.50/hour).

**Total Estimated Monthly Cost**:

- If nistelki is selected: $1,125/month in USDC.

- If Praetorian is selected: ~$1,750/month in ZKP (based on £1 = $1.25, subject to exchange rate fluctuations).

### Grant Request Details

The DAO requests a grant from the Panther Foundation to cover the Compliance Officer’s stipend for an initial period of 12 months, with the amount depending on the selected candidate:

- **nistelki**: $13,500 ($1,125/month × 12 months) in USDC.

- **Praetorian**: ~$21,000 ($1,750/month × 12 months) in ZKP, adjusted for ZKP market rates at the time of disbursement.

- **Contingency Fund**: A reserve (10% of the grant, ~$1,350 for nistelki or ~$2,100 for Praetorian) for unforeseen compliance-related costs, such as third-party verification service fees.

The grant will be disbursed to the DAO’s existing multisig wallet and managed per existing governance processes. For Praetorian, ZKP payments will be calculated based on the USD equivalent at the time of disbursement to account for market volatility.

## Section 2: Appointment of Compliance Officer

### Role and Responsibilities

As per the v1 Launch Process, the Compliance Officer will:

- Manage compliance integrations, including blacklisting Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) or flagged individuals and maintaining allowlists for zone access.

- Perform validations for deposits and withdrawals to ensure regulatory compliance.

- Propose operational limits (e.g., deposit/withdrawal thresholds) for DAO approval.

- Coordinate with third-party compliance providers, such as PureFi, to integrate verification processes and engage in discussions with regulators to strengthen privacy in the regulated space.

### Candidate 1: Nomination of nistelki

Based on nistelki’s provided qualifications, they are well-suited for the role:

- **Compliance Experience**: Senior compliance officer roles at CTBC Private Banking, UBS AG, Bank of Singapore, and HSBC Global Markets.

- **Crypto/Blockchain Experience**:

  • Compliance Systems and Controls Specialist at Binance.

  • Compliance consulting for Digital Nomad Labs, Deep Blue (stablecoin), Panther Protocol, and Plutus (Crypto Card FinTech).

- **Commitment**: 5-10 hours/month, with a focus on privacy-preserving, risk-based compliance layers and collaboration with PureFi.

- **Rate**: $150/hour, payable in USD or USDC.

### Candidate 2: Nomination of Praetorian

Based on Praetorian’s provided qualifications, they are also a strong candidate for the role:

- **Compliance and Financial Experience**: Diploma in Accounting and Business/Management, with professional experience at one of the Big Four firms.

- **DAO Involvement**: Panther DAO Council member, providing direct insight into DAO operations, governance, and contributor coordination.

- **Crypto/Blockchain Experience**: Access to compliance expertise through close family working in crypto compliance, with a commitment to complete relevant AML and compliance training as needed.

- **Commitment**: Up to 20 hours/month, including outside regular hours, to ensure flexibility and availability.

- **Rate**: £70/hour (approximately $87.50/hour, based on £1 = $1.25), payable in ZKP.

The DAO will vote to select one candidate (nistelki or Praetorian) for the Compliance Officer role, with the option to nominate additional candidates if preferred.

## Section 3: Voting and Implementation

- **Voting**: This proposal will be voted on via Panther Protocol’s Snapshot.org space, requiring a 2% quorum of circulating $ZKP supply, as per PIP-21. The vote will include two options:

1. Appoint nistelki as Compliance Officer with a grant of $13,500 in USDC.

2. Appoint Praetorian as Compliance Officer with a grant of ~$21,000 in ZKP (USD equivalent, adjusted for market rates).

- **Implementation Steps**:

1. Hold a governance vote to approve the grant request and select the Compliance Officer (nistelki or Praetorian).

2. Submit the grant proposal to the Panther Foundation based on the selected candidate.

3. Disburse funds to the existing multisig wallet upon grant approval.

4. Initiate the selected Compliance Officer’s duties by August 31, 2025, or sooner as required by the DAO launch process.

- **Timeline**:

  • Vote conclusion: Within 3 days of proposal submission.

  • Grant submission: Within 14 days of vote approval.

  • Fund disbursement and Compliance Officer onboarding: By August 31, 2025, or sooner as required by the DAO launch process.

## Conclusion

PIP-24 addresses the first step in the Panther v1 mainnet launch process by securing funding for the Compliance Officer’s compensation and nominating two qualified candidates, nistelki and Praetorian, for the role. By presenting both options, the DAO ensures a transparent and community-driven selection process. Utilizing existing governance mechanisms, the DAO ensures accountability and community trust. This proposal advances the DAO’s operational readiness for the v1 mainnet launch. The community is encouraged to vote on the preferred candidate and participate in shaping the DAO’s future.

## References

- Panther Protocol v1 Launch Process: Panther Protocol V1 Launch Process

- Compliance Officer Quote Discussion: Proposal: Request for Quotes for Compliance Officer for Panther DAO Management Zone - #6 by Gulum.Zkp

- PIP-22 Funding a DAO-Managed Zone: PIP-22: Funding a DAO-managed Zone - DRAFT - #10 by ToXiC_eHC

- Panther Improvement Proposal #9: https://docs.pantherprotocol.io/dao/governance/proposal-9-launch-advanced-staking-part1

- Panther Protocol Documentation: https://docs.pantherprotocol.io

- Panther Protocol Blog: https://blog.pantherprotocol.io

1 Like
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Hi @nistelki
Thank you for your interest in the Panther DAO Compliance Officer role and for sharing your detailed background with us.

I noticed you previously served as Compliance Consultant and Head of Compliance for Panther Protocol. For our members to better understand your approach and contributions, would you mind sharing a bit more about what you achieved or worked on during your tenure in that role? It would be helpful to learn about any specific initiatives, challenges, or successes from that period.

Looking forward to your insights and experiences!

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Amazing - lets push this forward!

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Hi

I’m just going to put some achievements here,

  1. Found a compatible compliance vendor with Panther which is Purefi and set up the compliance mechanism with them
  2. Vetted all investors (with SoW/ SoF) during Token sale
  3. Worked with Met Police on this ex fraud internal consultant at Panther and got him successfully charged (attending court hearing on behalf of Panther this summer actually..)

Compliance is not just tick the boxes these days. Identifying risks and risk acceptance and if it applies to Panther’s business nature, and the tricky part is how much risks it should take given its de-fi status, i.e Is this risk-based approach? How does the features protect the entity and DAO? Is this doing enough? Having a sense of regulatory understanding is also critical (keeping up with all the latest AML trends and jurisdiction regulatory developments).