Senior Counsel, Licensing and Crypto Products

Coinbase Careers Page

2d•Remote

About The Position

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. We are looking for a lawyer with deep experience at the intersection of digital assets and U.S. capital markets and financial services regulation. You’ll join our product legal team helping support and evolve Coinbase’s portfolio of U.S. state licenses, including money transmission licenses and the NYDFS BitLicense. You’ll also advise on core product surfaces (including trading, custody, and related services) with a focus on digital asset support. This is a highly visible role across the company. You’ll need to build strong relationships with business partners and execute efficiently in a fast‑evolving operational and regulatory environment. You’ll collaborate closely with product managers and cross‑functional partners within and outside the Legal and Compliance organizations.

Requirements

Direct experience with U.S. state regulatory regimes affecting digital asset or payments businesses, including money transmission laws and the New York BitLicense regime.
Knowledge of and experience with U.S. federal capital markets regulations (e.g., securities and/or commodities frameworks) and their application to digital assets.
Baseline knowledge of digital assets
Exceptional communication skills in a remote‑first environment, including the ability to explain nuanced legal concepts clearly to stakeholders at all levels.
Excellent project management, writing, and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex matters simultaneously.
Excellent judgment, analytic rigor, and business pragmatism—you think quickly, are creative in solving problems, and are deeply comfortable operating within regulatory ambiguity.
Willingness to roll up your sleeves—no job too big, no job too small.
Active membership in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the proposed U.S. federal and state regulatory regimes regarding digital assets.
Experience advising on consumer‑facing financial services products, particularly those involving payments, trading, or custody.
Experience with unclaimed property (escheatment) laws and regulations.
Genuine passion for the crypto industry and an interest in staying ahead of evolving market structure and regulatory developments.

Responsibilities

Advise on legal and regulatory issues related to Coinbase’s custodial digital asset products and services, including listing assets on Coinbase Exchange, supporting assets on Coinbase Custody, and launching new products.
Serve as a key legal advisor on Coinbase’s U.S. state licensing matters, primarily money transmission and digital-asset licensing, including analyzing novel issues, supporting applications for new licenses, and directly engaging with state regulators.
Enable the business with proactive, strategic product counseling—from product ideation, to drafting and refining policies and procedures, to conducting legal research that helps ensure products remain compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
Communicate regularly and effectively with a wide range of audiences—including internal legal teams, outside counsel, regulators, and business stakeholders—across multiple forums such as executive presentations, regulatory meetings, and informal client touchpoints. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate complex inter‑departmental relationships are critical.