Associate General Counsel, Institutional

Ready to be pushed beyond what you think you're capable of?
At Coinbase, our mission is to increase economic freedom in the world. It's a massive, ambitious opportunity that demands the best of us, every day, as we build the emerging onchain platform - and with it, the future global financial system.
To achieve our mission, we're seeking a very specific candidate. We want someone who is passionate about our mission and who believes in the power of crypto and blockchain technology to update the financial system. We want someone who is eager to leave their mark on the world, who relishes the pressure and privilege of working with high caliber colleagues, and who actively seeks feedback to keep leveling up. We want someone who will run towards, not away from, solving the company's hardest problems.
Our work culture is intense and isn't for everyone. But if you want to build the future alongside others who excel in their disciplines and expect the same from you, there's no better place to be.
While many roles at Coinbase are remote-first, we are not remote-only. In-person participation is required throughout the year. Team and company-wide offsites are held multiple times annually to foster collaboration, connection, and alignment. Attendance is expected and fully supported.
Coinbase is leading the expansion of digital currency into the financial mainstream. We have a world-class legal team that supports Coinbase and its affiliates as we continue to grow the company in the U.S. and internationally. You will be working in a cutting edge and fast paced environment, where disruptive technologies and unconventional thinking are the norm. Given the nascent state of the law, novel legal guidance is needed!
We are looking for a highly motivated, entrepreneurial, and experienced attorney to serve as Associate General Counsel to lead key initiatives supporting the institutional business and more broadly, the application of securities laws to digital assets. This role will be highly visible throughout Coinbase, working alongside senior management and partnering closely with our product teams. You will collaborate closely with business executives, product teams, and Legal and Compliance department colleagues to move the business forward.
What you'll be doing (ie. job duties):

• Lead and manage regulatory compliance and risk management for all broker-dealer activities, ensuring adherence to SEC and FINRA rules.
• Provide expert legal counsel on complex issues related to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, especially new and novel product development.
• Serve as the legal point of contact for regulatory examinations and inquiries from the SEC and FINRA.
• Develop internal policies and procedures to enhance the firm's compliance program and mitigate legal risks.
• Stay current on regulatory developments and advise senior management on the impact of new rules and regulations, particularly for crypto and digital assets markets.
• Provide training and guidance to executives, senior management and cross-functional colleagues on regulatory obligations and best practices.
• Provide practical advice on legal issues and risks, complex and first-of-their-kind agreement structures and company policies in a risk-tolerant, but compliance-oriented environment.
• Effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams (Business Development, Product/Engineering, Finance/Tax, Compliance) and legal colleagues to solve problems, build partnerships, and create agreements that enable deals to be closed more quickly.
• Develop scaled strategies for addressing risk in business-centric ways and build commercial processes that allow the business flexibility and freedom to move quickly.
• Look around corners and creatively solve problems for the business as they plan, build, and execute their transactional and product roadmap.
• Be a business partner, not just an attorney.

What we look for in you (ie. job requirements):

• Current license in a U.S. state or financial hub in an international jurisdiction with JD or applicable equivalent, with 12+ years of legal experience.
• Interest in digital currency and blockchain technology.
• Experienced securities attorney with deep broker-dealer expertise to provide legal guidance on compliance, regulatory matters, and transactions.
• Exemplary project management skills and the ability to lead significant cross-functional projects.
• Experience working with and presenting to VP-level leadership.
• Comfortable challenging the status quo and preconceived notions of what is possible.
• Excellent judgment, analytical rigor, clear communication, and business pragmatism.
• Top-notch analytical skills with experience owning projects from concept to finish.
• Comfort and experience with technology solutions that help you scale your practice.
• Get to "yes" approach in working with the business.
• Risk-adjusted thinking.
• Sound and practical business judgment.
• Intellectual curiosity and flexibility.
• Team-oriented and collaborative.

Nice to haves:

• Experience working at or with the SEC or Finra.
• Experience working at an active broker-dealer.
• Finra certification

Job #: P72940
#LI-Remote
Pay Transparency Notice: Depending on your work location, the target annual salary for this position can range as detailed below. Full time offers from Coinbase also include target bonus + target equity + benefits (including medical, dental, vision and 401(k)).
Pay Range:
$267,070 - $314,200 USD
Please be advised that each candidate may submit a maximum of four applications within any 30-day period. We encourage you to carefully evaluate how your skills and interests align with Coinbase's roles before applying.
Commitment to Equal Opportunity
Coinbase is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by applicable law. Coinbase will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. For US applicants, you may view the Employee Rights and the Know Your Rights notices by clicking on their corresponding links. Additionally, Coinbase participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law.
Coinbase is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at accommodations[at]coinbase.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. For quick access to screen reading technology compatible with this site click here to download a free compatible screen reader (free step by step tutorial can be found here) .
Global Data Privacy Notice for Job Candidates and Applicants
Depending on your location, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) may regulate the way we manage the data of job applicants. Our full notice outlining how data will be processed as part of the application procedure for applicable locations is available here . By submitting your application, you are agreeing to our use and processing of your data as required. For US applicants only, by submitting your application you are agreeing to arbitration of disputes as outlined here.
AI Disclosure
For select roles, Coinbase is piloting an AI tool based on machine learning technologies to conduct initial screening interviews to qualified applicants. The tool simulates realistic interview scenarios and engages in dynamic conversation. A human recruiter will review your interview responses, provided in the form of a voice recording and/or transcript, to assess them against the qualifications and characteristics outlined in the job description.
For select roles, Coinbase is also piloting an AI interview intelligence platform to transcribe and summarize interview notes, allowing our interviewers to fully focus on you as the candidate.
The above pilots are for testing purposes and Coinbase will not use AI to make decisions impacting employment . To request a reasonable accommodation due to disability, please contact accommodations[at]coinbase.com