Coinbase CLO Paul Grewal to Step Down Ahead of CLARITY Act Vote

Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal will step down from his role on July 31, 2026, marking the end of a six-year tenure during which he led the company’s legal strategy through one of the most significant regulatory battles in the U.S. crypto industry. His departure comes just as Congress prepares to revisit the CLARITY Act, a proposed bill aimed at establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets.

Although Grewal will no longer serve as the company’s top legal executive, Coinbase said he will remain involved as an adviser during the transition and continue serving on the board of Coinbase National Trust Company. The company emphasized that its legal and policy initiatives will continue without disruption.

Paul Grewal’s successor as Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer will take on a key role in shaping the exchange’s U.S. regulatory strategy. During his tenure, Grewal led Coinbase’s legal defense against the SEC’s 2023 lawsuit, which alleged the company operated as an unregistered securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency. The development was announced ahead of renewed congressional debate on the CLARITY Act.

Leadership Transition Comes at a Critical Time

Coinbase has appointed Molly Abraham as its new General Counsel, while Ryan VanGrack will assume the newly created position of Vice Chair and Head of Corporate Affairs. The restructuring is designed to strengthen the company’s legal operations and government engagement as lawmakers continue debating crypto legislation.

• Paul Grewal will step down as Chief Legal Officer on July 31, 2026.
• He will remain an adviser to Coinbase and retain his board position at Coinbase National Trust Company.
• Molly Abraham will become General Counsel.
• Ryan VanGrack will lead corporate affairs and government relations.
• The transition comes ahead of renewed congressional discussions on the CLARITY Act.

In June, Coinbase unveiled plans to offer 1:1 backed tokenized U.S. stocks alongside AI-powered investment tools, marking a major expansion beyond cryptocurrency trading. The initiative aims to bridge traditional finance and blockchain while enhancing users’ investment experience with intelligent portfolio insights.

Focus Shifts From Litigation to Regulation

During his tenure, Grewal became one of the crypto industry’s most recognizable legal voices. He played a central role in Coinbase’s defense against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement action and consistently advocated for clearer digital asset regulations rather than regulation through enforcement.

The timing of the leadership change is notable as the CLARITY Act could redefine regulatory oversight by establishing clearer jurisdiction between federal agencies overseeing digital assets. Coinbase has been among the industry’s strongest supporters of the legislation, arguing that regulatory clarity would encourage innovation while providing stronger protections for investors.

With new legal leadership in place, Coinbase is expected to maintain its policy engagement in Washington while expanding its broader financial services strategy. The company has also outlined plans to grow beyond cryptocurrency trading into additional financial products, positioning regulatory clarity as a key pillar of its long-term growth strategy.

Recently, Coinbase secured a UK MiFID license, enabling the exchange to expand into equities, derivatives, and other regulated financial products across the region. The approval supports Coinbase’s broader strategy to diversify beyond cryptocurrency trading and strengthen its presence in traditional financial markets.