Messari CEO Resigns, Company Conducts Layoffs and Pivots Focus to AI

Mars Finance News, March 17 — According to The Block, the cryptocurrency market data platform Messari announced that CEO Eric Turner has stepped down, and the company is simultaneously laying off staff to shift focus to AI business. On Monday, Messari’s Chief Technology Officer Diran Li posted on X that after discussions with the board, Turner has officially resigned and he has taken over as CEO. Turner also confirmed this transition on social media, stating he will remain as an advisor. Turner assumed the CEO role in 2024, succeeding founder Ryan Selkis, who resigned after making a series of controversial statements on X. Regarding layoffs, Li wrote, “This transition also involves a difficult decision: parting ways with many team members who have helped Messari reach 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, providing research and AI-driven products and services to institutional clients. Messari is not the only recent crypto company to lay off staff. Last week, Optimism developer OP Labs announced a reduction of about 20% of its team; last month, Jack Dorsey’s Block Inc. announced nearly 4,000 layoffs; Gemini also cut 25% of its staff to focus on the US market. Founded in 2018, Messari is a blockchain research firm known for publishing industry analysis reports, providing market data, and hosting the annual Mainnet conference in New York.