DeFi Jobs

Quantitative Analyst Intern - Crypto

Location: London or Brussels (Hybrid)

About Keyrock

Founded in 2017, Keyrock is a leading digital asset market maker with 200+ team members globally, representing 42 nationalities. We trade across more than 80 exchanges and run desks in market making, options, OTC and DeFi. We’re known for our tech-first approach, Rust-based trading systems and for actively shaping the future of digital asset markets.

At Keyrock, we're not just envisioning the future of digital assets. We're actively building it.

The Role

We are looking for a high-caliber Quantitative Analyst Intern to sit within our Strategic Market Making team. In our Strategic Proprietary Market Making team, we deploy capital across CEXs and DEXs to capture structural, incentive-driven and exotic market opportunities.

Strategic Market Making operates at the frontier of digital asset markets-identifying and executing on opportunities that emerge from new token launches, foundation mandates, liquidity programs, incentive distortions and evolving market microstructure. Unlike traditional service market making desks, this team is unencumbered by SLA obligations and is purpose-built to move quickly, iterate strategies and allocate capital dynamically where risk-adjusted returns are most compelling. You will also support our on-going expansion into the Perpetual DEX ecosystem, bridging the gap between TradFi rigor and DeFi innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Scalable Quant Infrastructure: Assist in the development of modular Python-based libraries (utilizing Pandas, NumPy, and Polars) to standardize performance metrics and unify global trading data.

• Strategy Forensics: Perform deep-dive statistical analysis on trade-level data to decompose PnL drivers, isolate alpha decay, and identify execution drag or "toxic flow."

• Perp DEX Optimization: Analyze the incentive structures and market-making programs of leading protocols (e.g., Hyperliquid/HIP-3, Paradex, Lighter). You will help optimize our participation to maximize protocol rewards and capital efficiency.

• Operational Intelligence: Build and maintain automated workflows that convert raw L1/L2 order book data into actionable insights for the Trading and Investment Committees.

• Market Monitoring: Proactively track market microstructure signals and portfolio exposures to highlight emerging risks and identify underutilized liquidity opportunities.

Who You Are

• Recent or upcoming graduate from a top university in financial engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related quantitative field.

• Technical Proficiency: You have a solid foundation in Python (specifically for data science) and SQL. Exposure to Rust or a strong desire to learn it is highly valued.

• Mathematical Rigor: Strong academic background in a quantitative field (Math, Physics, CS, or Financial Engineering). You are comfortable with probability, statistics, and linear algebra applied to real-world trading.

• "Skin in the Game": You aren't just a theorist. You have a track record of running automated or semi-automated strategies—be it funding arbitrage, cash & carry, or delta-neutral market-making.

• Domain Expertise: You have a working knowledge of traditional equity market structure but are a "DeFi native" at heart, with an understanding of Perpetual DEX dynamics and on-chain mechanics.

• High-Stakes Agility: You thrive in fast-paced environments, can manage multiple workstreams, and have the "owner mindset" to see projects through to completion.

• Communication: Fluency in English is a must; the ability to explain complex technical concepts simply is even better.

What We Offer

• A 6 month paid internship in our vibrant London or Brussels offices with a hybrid set-up.

• Company and team wide offsites.

• A global, collaborative and tech-driven environment.

• Autonomy & Impact - our flat structure means you can contribute your ideas from day one and help shape the foundation that will power Keyrock’s future business.

• Culture of Excellence - we value nimbleness, drive for success, owner mentality and collaboration.

Our recruitment philosophy

We value self-awareness and powerful communication skills in our recruitment process. We seek fiercely passionate people who understand themselves and their career goals. We're after those with the right skills and a conscious choice to join our field. The perfect fit? A crypto enthusiast who’s driven, collaborative, acts with ownership and delivers solid, scalable outcomes.

As an employer we are committed to building a positive and collaborative work environment. We welcome employees of all backgrounds, and hire, reward and promote entirely based on merit and performance.

Due to the nature of our business and external requirements, we perform background checks on all potential employees, passing which is a prerequisite to join Keyrock.

https://keyrock.com/careers/