Messari CEO Resigns, Company to Downsize and Pivot to Focus on AI

BlockBeats News, March 17th. According to The Block, cryptocurrency market data platform Messari announced the departure of company CEO Eric Turner and simultaneous layoffs as part of a transformation to focus on its AI business.

On Monday, Messari's Chief Technology Officer Diran Li announced in a post on X that following discussions with the board, Turner has officially stepped down, with Li taking over as CEO. Turner also confirmed this transition on social media, stating that he will remain as an advisor. Turner took over as CEO in 2024, succeeding founder Ryan Selkis—who resigned after making a series of controversial statements on X. Regarding the layoffs, Li stated: "This transition also included a difficult decision: we part ways with many team members who have helped Messari get to where it is today." Li did not disclose the exact number of layoffs. He explained that this restructuring aims to position Messari as an "AI-first" company, serving institutional clients through research and AI-driven products.

Messari is not the only cryptocurrency company to have recently conducted layoffs. Last week, Optimism developer OP Labs announced a reduction of about 20% of its team members; last month, Jack Dorsey's Block Inc. announced a reduction of nearly 4,000 positions; Gemini also reduced its workforce by 25% to focus on its U.S. business. Founded in 2018, Messari is a blockchain research company known for releasing cryptocurrency industry analysis reports, providing market data, and hosting the annual New York Mainnet conference.