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Ex-Coinbase CLO Paul Grewal Joins Cognition AI as Top Lawyer

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20

Why it matters

Paul Grewal, Coinbase's chief legal officer for nearly six years, has joined Cognition AI Inc. as its top lawyer, effective immediately. Grewal's departure from Coinbase came after he notified the company in early July, with his resignation effective July 31. Coinbase named Molly Abraham as his replacement and elevated Ryan VanGrack to a broader corporate-affairs role. Grewal was among the crypto industry's most visible legal figures, having guided Coinbase through its 2021 public listing and the company's high-stakes 2023 SEC lawsuit over crypto token trading—a case the agency dropped with prejudice in early 2025 without imposing a fine.

The timing and circumstances of Grewal's move to Cognition AI remain undisclosed. Neither Coinbase nor Cognition AI has publicly commented on the transition or Grewal's specific mandate at the AI startup.

For attorneys tracking regulatory risk in crypto and emerging tech, Grewal's departure signals a potential shift in Coinbase's legal strategy as the company faces an evolving regulatory landscape. With pending legislation including the CLARITY Act and GENIUS efforts under active discussion in Congress, the loss of a seasoned regulatory hand may affect how Coinbase navigates future policy battles. The move also underscores how senior legal talent is flowing between crypto and AI sectors—two industries facing intense scrutiny from federal regulators and lawmakers.

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