Key highlights:
- Paul Grewal is leaving his role as Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer after six years
- Grewal steered Coinbase through its toughest legal troubles with the SEC
- His contributions supported the passing of GENIUS, with Grewal confident of the CLARITY Act’s imminent passage
Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal has announced his exit from the US-based cryptocurrency exchange after six years. Grewal’s six-year stint at Coinbase saw the exchange square off against multiple US regulators, setting a precedent for the broader cryptocurrency industry.
Paul Grewal leaves Coinbase after six years
Grewal confirmed his exit on X, noting that his time at the helm of Coinbase’s legal affairs had come to an end. However, Grewal disclosed that he will transition into an advisory role in the coming weeks, serving as a board member at the Coinbase National Trust Company.
While Grewal did not disclose the reason for his sudden exit, his X post stated that it was “time for new adventures” after an eventful six-year stint. With his exit, Molly Abraham will take over as Chief Legal Officer, while Ryan VanGrack will serve as Vice Chairman in the new company shakeup.
Paul Grewal joined Coinbase in 2020 from Meta with years of legal experience on the bar and bench. Barely one year later, Grewal led Coinbase through its 2021 public listing, becoming the first major cryptocurrency exchange to go public.
In 2025, Grewal steered the company to reincorporate in Texas from Delaware, citing regulatory efficiency. Following the move, Coinbase released in-app stock and ETF trading, prediction markets, and tokenized asset offerings, and an SEC-registered AI investment adviser.
“We’ve built something exceptional here,” said Grewal. “I am so proud, mostly because of the incredible people I got to work alongside.”
Fighting the SEC tooth and nail
Perhaps the brightest highlight of Grewal’s six-year tenure at Coinbase is the legal battle with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Back in 2023, the SEC sued Coinbase, alleging that the exchange breached its rules by allowing users trade crypto tokens that are securities.
Analysts considered the case critical for Coinbase and the rest of the broader cryptocurrency industry. Rather than push for a settlement, Coinbase, led by Grewal, mounted a heated defence against the securities regulator.
After three long years, the SEC dismissed the case against Coinbase, marking a landmark victory for Coinbase and the broader industry. Grewal commented on the legal victory:
“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.”
Apart from fighting Coinbase’s battles, Grewal has used his office to advocate for the crypto industry in Washington. His efforts contributed to the passing of GENIUS into law, with Grewal’s exit note hinting that CLARITY will soon be passed into law.
Source:: Coinbase Loses Top Lawyer as Paul Grewal Exits After Multiple Showdowns With Regulators