Counsel, Base

Coinbase

Coinbase

Legal
United States · Remote
Posted on May 25, 2024

At Coinbase, our mission is to increase economic freedom around the world, and we couldn’t do this without hiring the best people. We’re a group of hard-working overachievers who are deeply focused on building the future of finance and Web3 for our users across the globe, whether they’re trading, storing, staking or using crypto. Know those people who always lead the group project? That’s us.

There are a few things we look for across all hires we make at Coinbase, regardless of role or team. First, we look for candidates who will thrive in a culture like ours, where we default to trust, embrace feedback, and disrupt ourselves. Second, we expect all employees to commit to our mission-focused approach to our work. Finally, we seek people who are excited to learn about and live crypto, because those are the folks who enjoy the intense moments in our sprint and recharge work culture. We’re a remote-first company looking to hire the absolute best talent all over the world.

Ready to #LiveCrypto? Who you are:

  • You’ve got positive energy. You’re optimistic about the future and determined to get there.
  • You’re never tired of learning. You want to be a pro in bleeding edge tech like DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and Web 3.0.
  • You appreciate direct communication. You’re both an active communicator and an eager listener - because let’s face it, you can’t have one without the other. You’re cool with candid feedback and see every setback as an opportunity to grow.
  • You can pivot on the fly. Crypto is constantly evolving, so our priorities do, too. What you worked on last month may not be what you work on today, and that excites you. You’re not looking for a boring job.
  • You have a “can do” attitude. Our teams create high-quality work on quick timelines. Owning a problem doesn’t scare you, but rather empowers you to take 100% responsibility for achieving our mission.
  • You want to be part of a winning team. We’re stronger together, and you’re a person who embraces being pushed out of your comfort zone.

We are seeking an exceptional attorney to join our Product Legal team, dedicated to supporting the Coinbase incubated Base Layer 2 blockchain. In this pivotal role, you will navigate complex, first-of-a-kind blockchain and Base related product initiatives. Your responsibilities will extend across the Base L2 ecosystem, from operational support to ensuring seamless integration and compliance of Coinbase integrated products within Base. Collaborating closely with other members of the Coinbase legal team, you will tackle a wide array of challenging matters that influence the landscape of blockchain technology and innovation.

What you’ll be doing (ie. job duties):

  • As Base specific product legal counsel, you will help build the legal foundation to support Base’s onchain mission and strategy.
  • Play a pivotal role in the grants ecosystem by overseeing legal processes related to funding and supporting innovative projects within the Base ecosystem.
  • Facilitate the integration of both Coinbase and third party services and products in the Base ecosystem, ensuring they adhere to legal standards and regulatory expectations. This includes conducting due diligence, drafting compliance policies, and providing guidance on risk management related to Base product integration.
  • Support the Base Business Development team in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, managing relationships with external partners and stakeholders.
  • Be a business partner, not just an attorney.
  • Provide full product life-cycle counseling.
  • Look around corners and creatively solve problems for the business as they plan, build, and execute on their product roadmap.
  • Identify issues that may fall outside your expertise, driving resolution by partnering with other members of the Coinbase legal team and outside counsel.
  • Work cross-departmentally, including with stakeholders such as Compliance, Communications, Finance, Tax, Security, Enterprise Risk Management, Engineering, Data, Analytics, Corporate Development, and members of Coinbase’s leadership team.
  • Respond promptly to a wide range of complex legal requests and coordinate closely with Legal department colleagues to ensure the swift delivery of smart, practical advice.
  • Operate in a fast paced, demanding environment and pivot quickly to meet leadership's needs.
  • Train the Coinbase Consumer team on your areas of subject matter expertise.
  • Scale the advice you provide, so that you can do more with less and grow efficiently with the business.

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

  • Currently licensed in a U.S. state. J.D. or equivalent, minimum of 5 years of legal experience
  • You have strong, substantive practice and practical experience working in crypto / web3 / defi / protocols / blockchain
  • Financial technology experience preferred but not required
  • You have experience counseling product teams in launching consumer or developer-facing technology products and services
  • You have a strong interest or experience in digital currency, blockchain technology, and innovative constructs pioneered by decentralized finance.
  • You are familiar with consumer financial services regulation and agencies (CFPB/Reg E, FinCEN/MSB, State MTLs, SEC securities matters, BSA/USAPA)
  • You have experience with build-outs to support Anti Money Laundering (AML)/Know-your-customer (KYC) requirements, and regulated e-money and money transmission obligations under banking laws.
  • You have proven problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills.
  • You exercise excellent legal judgment with analytic rigor, prudential risk assessment, and a balance of realizable creativity and pragmatism.
  • You are comfortable with risk-adjusted thinking, and can understand when interpretive flexibility is warranted.
  • You are team-oriented and collaborative, you bring cross-departmental colleagues to the table, and build your practice to enable your clients to successfully build and launch crypto products at Coinbase.

PID: P59567

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 + benefits (including medical, dental, vision and 401(k)).

Pay Range:
$178,500$210,000 USD

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Coinbase is committed to diversity in its workforce and 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 Know Your Rights notice here. 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 complete this intake form 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).

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