Blockchain knowledge supplier Messari has introduced a sequence of layoffs on Monday as its CEO, Eric Turner, stepped right down to make means for the corporate’s “subsequent section” as an AI-first firm.
“At present, I stepped down as CEO of Messari and handed the reins to Diran,” Turner mentioned on X on Monday, referring to Diran Li, who ascended after serving as chief expertise officer of the corporate for greater than seven years.
He added that it “wasn’t a simple determination, however it’s the correct one for the corporate’s subsequent section, and he has my full assist.”
Turner took over as interim CEO in July 2024 following founder Ryan Selkis’ resignation. Talking concerning the employees cuts, Turner mentioned it was a “tough day for the group as we are saying goodbye to many individuals who helped construct Messari.”
There have been no particulars on the variety of employees cuts. Messari laid off roughly 15% of its full-time employees in January 2025 and made an analogous workforce discount in February 2023.
Messari pivots to an AI-first firm
In a separate publish, Diran Li introduced that he was moving into the CEO function at Messari.
“After conversations with Eric and the board, we agreed that is the correct step for the corporate’s subsequent chapter,” he mentioned.
Li confirmed the cuts, stating that the transition additionally features a tough determination: “We’ve parted methods with many teammates who helped construct Messari into what it’s in the present day.”
“Wanting forward, we’re doubling down on Messari as an AI-first firm serving establishments by analysis and AI merchandise.”
Messari started as a pure crypto analysis and knowledge firm in 2018, and steadily began incorporating AI into its merchandise in 2024.
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Blockchain intelligence for agentic AI
Final week, Li introduced that Messari was opening its knowledge layer to autonomous brokers, adopting the x402 protocol to “deliver our institutional-grade crypto intelligence to each builder and agent on the web.”
The transfer will enable builders and AI brokers to autonomously supply and pay for knowledge from the blockchain intelligence firm utilizing crypto wallets.
Messari is the most recent crypto native firm to broaden from the business to AI, following within the current footsteps of Core Scientific, Cipher Mining, MARA Holdings, Hut 8, and Galaxy Digital.
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