Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase, has publicly urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to reconsider its approach to crypto regulation following Donald Trump’s re-election as president.
Grewal expressed hope for a regulatory framework that emphasizes open dialogue and innovation over litigation. This sentiment reflects growing frustration among crypto advocates, who view the SEC’s enforcement actions as excessive.
Trump has pledged to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler, suggesting a potential shakeup that could significantly impact crypto’s future in the U.S.
Following his election victory, Trump promised to “turn the country around” and unify the nation. During his campaign, he committed to removing Gensler as part of ending what he called the Biden administration’s “anti-crypto crusade.” Under Gensler’s leadership, the SEC has taken legal action against high-profile crypto firms like Coinbase and decentralized exchange Uniswap, leading to uncertainty for companies unsure of compliance requirements. Grewal argues this uncertainty could be alleviated through “rulemaking.”
Trump’s plan to remove Gensler has led to speculation about potential successors, especially those who may adopt a more crypto-friendly stance. One prominent candidate is SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, often referred to as “Crypto Mom” for her pro-crypto advocacy. Peirce has previously criticized the SEC’s enforcement-focused approach, suggesting that regulatory clarity would better serve the public interest and strengthen the U.S. position in global digital finance.
Coinbase itself has faced scrutiny over listing fees. On Nov. 4, Tron founder Justin Sun claimed that Coinbase asked for $300 million to list the Tron (TRX) token. Similarly, Fantom Network founder Andre Cronje alleged that Coinbase’s listing fees ranged from $30–$300 million, while Binance charged $0.
These claims contradict Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong’s Nov. 2 statement that “Asset listing on Coinbase are free.”
