MV Capital - Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal Steps Down After Six Years

Paul Grewal, who guided Coinbase through its public listing, SEC legal battle, and regulatory advocacy, will leave his role on July 31 and move to an advisory position

End of an Era at Coinbase Legal Leadership

Paul Grewal announced his departure from Coinbase after serving as Chief Legal Officer since 2020. He notified the company on July 8 and will step down from the position effective July 31, 2026. Grewal will transition to an advisory role through October while continuing to serve on the board of Coinbase National Trust Company.

In his announcement on X, Grewal stated it was time for new adventures after six years that included major company milestones. Molly Abraham, currently Vice President of Legal, will take over as General Counsel. Ryan VanGrack will assume the role of Vice Chairman with responsibilities in government relations and partnerships. Faryar Shirzad will continue leading global policy efforts.

Key Leadership ChangesPaul Grewal departs as CLO on July 31, enters advisory capacity
Molly Abraham appointed General Counsel
Ryan VanGrack named Vice Chairman

Grewal's Tenure and Major Achievements

Grewal joined Coinbase in 2020 from Meta, bringing experience as a former federal magistrate judge. His time at the exchange coincided with significant developments. He played a central part in Coinbase's 2021 direct listing on Nasdaq, making it the first major crypto exchange to go public in the US.

Under his leadership, Coinbase reincorporated from Delaware to Texas in 2025, citing improved regulatory conditions. The company expanded offerings during this period, including in-app stock and ETF trading, prediction markets, and tokenized assets.

“We’ve built something exceptional here. I am so proud, mostly because of the incredible people I got to work alongside.”Paul Grewal

The SEC Lawsuit and Legal Victory

One of the defining moments of Grewal's tenure was Coinbase's response to the 2023 SEC lawsuit. The regulator alleged the exchange operated as an unregistered broker, clearinghouse, and exchange for securities. Rather than settle, Coinbase mounted a strong defense.

The case ended with the SEC dismissing it in 2025 with prejudice and no fines, a result viewed as a win for Coinbase and the broader sector. Grewal described leading the legal team through this period as the greatest achievement of his time at the company.

“Leading Coinbase’s legal team through the biggest fight of our industry has been the single greatest achievement of my six-year tenure. Our legal wins helped ensure crypto not only had a future in this country, but could flourish.”Paul Grewal

Policy Advocacy and Legislative Efforts

Beyond courtroom work, Grewal actively supported clearer rules for digital assets. His efforts contributed to the passage of the GENIUS Act for stablecoins. He also pushed for the CLARITY Act, which aims to establish market structure and clarify jurisdiction between agencies.

The timing of the leadership transition occurs as Congress prepares for further action on the CLARITY Act. Grewal expressed confidence in its progress in his farewell statements.

Transition DetailsGrewal to advise Coinbase post-July 31
Continues board service at Coinbase National Trust Company
Internal promotions ensure continuity in legal and policy functions

Reactions to the Announcement

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong thanked Grewal for steering the company through challenging periods. He noted the direct listing effort and the SEC fight as key examples of Grewal's contributions.

“Thank you for everything you've done for Coinbase. You steered us through minefields that would have crippled most companies.”Brian Armstrong, Coinbase CEO

Industry figures also recognized Grewal's role in shaping legal approaches for crypto companies during a period of intense scrutiny.