Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal said he will leave the company at the end of July, closing out a six-year run at the crypto exchange. He said he will shift into an advisory role after departing and will stay on the board of Coinbase National Trust Company. The move comes as Coinbase updates the top ranks of its legal and policy organization.
His tenure covered the IPO, the SEC fight, and a corporate move to Texas
Grewal announced the decision on July 9 and pointed to several major episodes from his time at Coinbase: the company’s public listing, its court battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and the relocation of the company from Delaware to Texas. He also said he worked in support of the GENIUS Act and the proposed CLARITY Act.
Reuters reported that Grewal plans to join a startup after leaving Coinbase. Even so, he will continue advising the company and remain involved in work tied to its trust charter.
Molly Abraham takes over as general counsel
Coinbase said Molly Abraham will become general counsel. Grewal said she has worked alongside him for more than five years through the company’s biggest legal matters, making the handoff an internal one backed by long experience inside the legal team.
Chief Executive Officer Brian Armstrong thanked Grewal for steering Coinbase through its clashes with regulators. Armstrong recalled the company’s public challenge to the SEC before the agency later dropped its lawsuit. He also credited Grewal with building the legal bench that now includes Abraham and VanGrack in senior roles.
Ryan VanGrack moves into a newly created corporate affairs role
Coinbase also promoted Ryan VanGrack to the new position of vice chairman and head of corporate affairs. Grewal said VanGrack will work with governments and industry partners around the world. Reuters said VanGrack will represent Coinbase before policymakers and key stakeholders while supporting the company’s broader corporate strategy.
VanGrack said his new duties include expanding products, entering additional jurisdictions, and strengthening government relationships. At the same time, Faryar Shirzad will remain in charge of Coinbase’s global policy team. Grewal said that work with governments and regulators continues to be central to Coinbase’s operations.
The SEC case remained the defining legal battle of his time at Coinbase
One of the most closely watched episodes during Grewal’s tenure was Coinbase’s legal dispute with the SEC. Reuters reported that the agency sued Coinbase in 2023, alleging the exchange operated as an unregistered securities platform. The case was later dropped after Donald Trump returned to office.
Armstrong singled out Grewal’s role in guiding the company through that regulatory fight. Grewal, for his part, said he remains grateful for his years at Coinbase and described the company as an ally for life.