Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal Steps Down After SEC Victory

Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal Announces Departure

Paul Grewal, the Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase, is set to leave the company following a protracted legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Despite his departure, Grewal has indicated that he will remain involved with Coinbase in an advisory capacity.

Leadership Changes at Coinbase

Coinbase announced the leadership shift in a statement released on July 9, 2026. Grewal confirmed he is moving on to a startup, while Molly Abraham will take over as general counsel, leading the company’s legal team. Ryan Van Grack has also been appointed as vice chairman, a role that is expected to be more public-facing.

Grewal’s Tenure and Future Plans

During his six-year tenure at Coinbase, Grewal emphasized that guiding the company through significant legal challenges has been his proudest achievement, stating,

“Leading Coinbase’s legal team through the biggest fight of our industry has been the single greatest achievement of my six-year tenure.”

He noted that these victories were crucial for ensuring a secure future for cryptocurrency in the United States. Following his exit, Grewal will continue to advise Coinbase on trust charter initiatives with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Background on SEC Legal Challenges

Coinbase’s significant legal hurdles primarily involved the SEC, which accused the exchange of operating as an unregistered broker, clearinghouse, and exchange for securities – a suit that was initiated in 2023. The SEC, then led by Gary Gensler, had been increasingly aggressive towards various exchanges. However, the SEC later dropped the lawsuit after the change in administration.

New Leadership Profiles

Molly Abraham has been with Coinbase since March 2021, previously managing multiple legal teams as vice president of legal. Her background includes serving as general counsel for an electric flying car startup. Ryan Van Grack previously held the position of general counsel at Citadel Securities and has been instrumental in Coinbase’s litigation efforts.