- Paul Grewal will leave Coinbase after six years and remain an adviser and board member of Coinbase National Trust Company.
- Coinbase appointed Molly Abraham as general counsel and promoted Ryan VanGrack to vice chairman and head of corporate affairs.
- Grewal’s tenure included Coinbase’s SEC lawsuit, public listing, and support for the GENIUS and CLARITY Acts.
Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal announced on July 9 that he will leave the company at the end of the month after six years. According to Grewal, he will transition into an advisory role while remaining on the Board of Coinbase National Trust Company, as Coinbase also reshapes its legal and policy leadership.
Leadership Changes Take Effect
Grewal said his tenure included Coinbase’s public listing, the company’s legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and its move from Delaware to Texas. He also cited his work supporting the GENIUS Act and the proposed CLARITY Act.
According to Reuters, Grewal plans to join a startup after leaving Coinbase. However, he will continue advising the company and remain involved with its trust charter work.
Coinbase also announced that Molly Abraham will become general counsel. Grewal said she worked alongside him for more than five years during the company’s major legal cases.
New Roles Expand Policy Team
Meanwhile, Coinbase promoted Ryan VanGrack to the newly created position of vice chairman and head of corporate affairs. According to Grewal, VanGrack will work with governments and industry partners worldwide.
Reuters reported that VanGrack will represent Coinbase before policymakers and key stakeholders while supporting the company’s broader corporate strategy. He said his new responsibilities include expanding products, entering additional jurisdictions, and strengthening government relationships.
At the same time, Faryar Shirzad will continue leading Coinbase’s global policy team. Grewal said the group’s work with governments and regulators remains critical to the company’s operations.
Armstrong Reflects On Grewal’s Tenure
Coinbase Chief Executive Officer Brian Armstrong thanked Grewal for leading the company through its regulatory disputes. Armstrong recalled the company’s public challenge to the SEC before the agency later dismissed its lawsuit.
According to Reuters, the SEC sued Coinbase in 2023, alleging the exchange operated as an unregistered securities platform. The agency later dropped the case after President Donald Trump returned to office.
Armstrong also praised Grewal for building the legal team that now includes Abraham and VanGrack in senior leadership positions. Grewal said he remains grateful for his time at Coinbase and described the company as an ally for life.
