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Coinbase announces Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal will exit on July 31 2026, moving to an advisory role and naming Molly Abraham as new general counsel—key
Paul Grewal, Coinbase’s chief legal officer since 2020, will step down on July 31 2026, transitioning to an advisory role while staying on the board of Coinbase National Trust Company [1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Departing officer | Paul Grewal |
| Effective date | July 31 2026 |
| New general counsel | Molly Abraham |
| Advisory period | Aug 1 – Oct 31 2026 (lump‑sum payment) |
Grewal’s resignation follows a tenure that spanned Coinbase’s public listing, its high‑profile SEC litigation, and its push for U.S. crypto legislation such as the GENIUS and CLARITY Acts [1]. In a filing, he confirmed the July 31 exit and outlined a short‑term advisory agreement that will run through the end of October, with a lump‑sum payment equal to three months of his base salary [2].
Coinbase will promote Vice President of Legal Molly Abraham to general counsel and secretary, citing her five‑plus years of collaboration on the firm’s major legal battles [1][2]. Ryan VanGrack will assume expanded duties as vice chairman, focusing on global regulatory and institutional relationships, while Faryar Shirzad will continue leading the global policy team [1].
Grewal’s departure marks a pivotal moment for Coinbase’s legal strategy, handing the reins to a team that must navigate an evolving regulatory environment while maintaining the exchange’s position as a leading crypto platform.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 3 outlets · Jul 10, 2026 · How we report
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