Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal Steps Down After Six Years

Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal has announced that he will step down after six years with the company, marking the end of a tenure that helped shape Coinbase’s legal and regulatory strategy. He will transition into an advisory role at the end of the month while continuing to serve on the Board of Coinbase National Trust Company.

In a post on X, Grewal thanked Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, President and COO Emilie Choi, and the company’s board, calling his time at Coinbase “the opportunity of a lifetime.”

A Key Figure Behind Coinbase’s Legal Wins

During his six years at Coinbase, Grewal played a central role in several of the company’s biggest milestones. He helped guide the exchange through its public listing, led its high-profile legal battle against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and supported the company’s decision to move its legal headquarters from Delaware to Texas.

He also worked closely with lawmakers to push for crypto-friendly legislation, including the GENIUS Act and the proposed CLARITY Act, both focused on providing clearer rules for the digital asset industry in the United States.

New Leadership Takes Over

Following Grewal’s departure, Molly Abraham will become Coinbase’s new General Counsel. Grewal said she has worked alongside him for more than five years on the company’s most important legal cases and is well prepared to lead the legal team.

Coinbase has also appointed Ryan VanGrack as Vice Chairman. In his new role, he will work with governments, regulators, and industry partners worldwide to strengthen Coinbase’s regulatory relationships and support its global expansion.

Meanwhile, Faryar Shirzad will continue leading firm’s global policy team, focusing on building stronger relationships with governments and regulators as the company pushes for clearer crypto regulations.

The announcement also drew support from several well-known industry figures, including Patrick Witt, CFTC Commissioner Caroline Pham, journalist Eleanor Terrett, Jake Chervinsky, Ron Hammond, and Scott Melker, who congratulated Grewal and praised his contributions to the crypto industry.

What It Means for Coinbase

Grewal’s departure comes at a time when Coinbase is actively working with policymakers to shape the future of crypto regulation in the U.S. The leadership changes are expected to ensure continuity as the company continues its efforts to expand institutional adoption and advocate for a clearer legal framework for digital assets.

Despite the management transition, Coinbase remains one of the industry’s leading crypto exchanges. At the time of reporting, Coinbase (COIN) shares were trading around $158.87, giving the company a market capitalization of $41.85 billion, although the stock remains about 65% below its all-time high.