Key Takeaways

• Faryar Shirzad is Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer, guiding global crypto policy and shaping regulations for the digital asset sector. 

• He spent 15 years at Goldman Sachs, leading government affairs and advising on policies affecting finance, trade, and economic growth worldwide. 

• Shirzad served in senior roles under George W. Bush, including Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs.

Faryar Shirzad serves as the Chief Policy Officer at Coinbase, where he directs the company’s interactions with regulators and policymakers worldwide, shaping the legal landscape for the digital asset sector. He brings decades of experience in global economic policy, including 15 years at Goldman Sachs as a partner and Global Co-Head of Government Affairs. Earlier in his career, Shirzad held key roles in the George W. Bush administration, contributing to the National Security Council and other senior positions.

Born in London in 1965 to Iranian parents, Shirzad pursued higher education in the United States. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1986, followed by a Master of Public Policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Early Legal and Political Foundations

Faryar Shirzad began his career as an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, working in the international trade group, where he gained experience navigating complex cross-border legal and regulatory issues. 

Early on, he also entered the political arena as a policy advisor for Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign, providing guidance on economic and trade-related policy matters. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for his expertise at the intersection of law, government, and international economics.

Legislative Experience in the U.S. Senate

In 1997, Shirzad joined the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance as International Trade Counsel under Chairman William Roth. In this role, he acted as the committee’s lead legal advisor on trade legislation and policy, shaping key decisions that impacted U.S. commerce globally. This period gave him deep exposure to trade law enforcement, international negotiations, and the interplay between legislation and economic strategy.

Senior Roles in the George W. Bush Administration

Shirzad’s government career grew a lot under President George W. Bush. In 2001, he was confirmed by the Senate as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration, overseeing U.S. trade laws and enforcing anti-dumping and countervailing duty measures. In 2003, he joined the White House as Special Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs on the National Security Council. 

He later became Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs, coordinating U.S. international economic policy, advising the President and National Security Advisor, and representing the U.S. as G-8 “Sherpa” for annual summits.

Private Sector Leadership at Goldman Sachs

After leaving public service in 2006, Shirzad transitioned to Goldman Sachs, where he spent nearly 15 years as a partner and Global Co-Head of the Office of Government Affairs. In this role, he managed the investment bank’s global public policy and government relations strategy, overseeing regulatory engagement and advising on policies affecting finance, trade, and economic growth worldwide.

Coinbase and the Digital Asset Era

In May 2021, Shirzad joined Coinbase as Chief Policy Officer, leading the company’s global policy initiatives during a period of increasing regulatory focus on cryptocurrencies. He directs engagement with lawmakers, regulators, and multilateral institutions to shape evolving legal frameworks for digital assets. 

His appointment strengthened Coinbase’s strategic policy efforts in Washington, D.C., and other international capitals, positioning the company as a key influencer in the global cryptocurrency landscape.

Shirzad Discusses Crypto Policy on Inside Influence

On February 6, 2026, Faryar Shirzad joined Inside Influence on YouTube with hosts David Castigignetti and Brody Mullins. The conversation centered on the growth of the cryptocurrency industry and the challenges digital asset companies face in navigating U.S. regulations.

Shirzad discussed how Coinbase engages with policymakers to help shape clear and practical rules for the crypto sector. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between industry and government to ensure that innovation and compliance move forward together.

Leadership Style and Decision-Making

Faryar Shirzad’s leadership is shaped by decades in both government and finance. His experience at the White House and the National Security Council taught him the importance of careful analysis and consensus-building. At Goldman Sachs, he learned to balance business priorities with regulatory realities. He approaches decisions by weighing different perspectives, focusing on practical solutions, and building trust with both policymakers and industry leaders.

Vision for Policy and the Digital Asset Sector

Shirzad’s vision for digital assets is shaped by years of guiding global economic policy and working closely with both governments and businesses. At Coinbase, he focuses on creating rules that protect users without slowing innovation. He believes in working with governments and international organizations to set clear standards, helping cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies grow safely and responsibly worldwide.

Final Thoughts

Faryar Shirzad’s journey shows how deep experience and thoughtful leadership can shape entire industries. From advising U.S. presidents and shaping global trade policy to leading public affairs at Goldman Sachs, he has built a career at the crossroads of law, economics, and international relations. Now at Coinbase, he brings that same insight to the fast-moving world of digital assets, working to create rules that protect users while letting innovation thrive. Shirzad’s work highlights the power of collaboration among governments, businesses, and communities to ensure that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies grow safely and responsibly worldwide.