Coinbase Legal Chief Paul Grewal Resigns After 6-Year Tenure

Grewal's departure was announced internally on Tuesday, with the company saying he will remain in an advisory capacity through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition. His successor has not yet been named.

During his tenure, Grewal steered Coinbase through some of the most turbulent legal battles in the crypto sector, including a high-profile lawsuit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over alleged unregistered securities offerings. The case, filed in 2023, was dismissed in part last year, a victory for the exchange.

Before joining Coinbase in 2020, Grewal served as a federal magistrate judge in the Northern District of California and previously worked as a deputy general counsel at Facebook. He also held roles at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and as a law clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Grewal's exit comes as Coinbase faces new regulatory challenges, including proposed rules on stablecoins and ongoing state-level actions. The company's general counsel for corporate affairs, Katherine Minarik, is seen as a likely interim lead, though no formal appointment has been made.

In a statement, Grewal said he plans to spend more time with his family and pursue teaching opportunities, but will continue to advocate for clear crypto regulations from the outside.