Coinbase legal chief Grewal to become advisor on July 31

Paul Grewal, the chief legal officer of Coinbase, will transition to an advisory role at the cryptocurrency exchange effective July 31, concluding a six-year tenure that included leading the company through a major regulatory lawsuit. The company announced internal promotions to fill the resulting leadership gap, with Molly Abraham becoming general counsel and Ryan VanGrack assuming the new role of vice chair.

Grewal announced the change on Thursday, July 9, via social media posts. He stated he would continue working with the company's trust charter efforts and announce a potential new position in due course. Under the new structure, Abraham will take direct leadership of the legal team, while VanGrack will take on a broader, more public-facing role representing the company before stakeholders and policymakers globally.

Grewal's departure follows a period defined by a high-profile legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC sued Coinbase in 2023, alleging it operated as an unregistered securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency. The lawsuit was later dismissed under the Trump administration, a outcome Grewal described as a pivotal victory for the...