TLDR
- Eric Turner has resigned from his position as Messari CEO, with CTO Diran Li stepping into the leadership role.
- Another round of workforce reductions has been implemented, with specific numbers undisclosed.
- The crypto data platform is transitioning to an “AI-first” strategy emphasizing institutional research and artificial intelligence solutions.
- The company has made its data infrastructure available to autonomous AI agents through the x402 protocol.
- Previous layoffs occurred in January 2025 (approximately 15% of workforce) and February 2023.
Crypto analytics platform Messari has revealed a significant leadership transition accompanied by workforce reductions as the organization repositions itself around artificial intelligence technologies.
On Monday, Eric Turner, who assumed the interim CEO position in July 2024, announced his departure from the role. Turner had stepped in after company founder Ryan Selkis left following backlash over contentious social media activity.
Diran Li, Messari’s chief technology officer for more than seven years, has been named as Turner’s successor. According to Li, the transition followed collaborative discussions with Turner and the company’s board.
“After conversations with Eric and the board, we agreed this is the right step for the company’s next chapter,” Li wrote on X.
Alongside the CEO appointment, Messari has executed another workforce reduction. While Li confirmed the layoffs, he declined to specify the exact number of affected employees. “We’ve parted ways with many teammates who helped build Messari into what it is today,” he stated.
Turner also commented on the personnel changes, describing it as “a difficult day for the team.”
This represents Messari’s third workforce reduction in recent memory. The company eliminated roughly 15% of full-time positions in January 2025 and conducted comparable cuts in February 2023.
Messari’s AI-First Direction
Li emphasized that the organizational changes align with a fundamental strategic transformation. “Looking ahead, we’re doubling down on Messari as an AI-first company serving institutions through research and AI products,” he said.
Established in 2018, Messari initially focused on cryptocurrency research and market data. The integration of AI capabilities into its product suite commenced in 2024. The platform has built its reputation through comprehensive crypto sector analysis, data analytics tools, and its annual Mainnet conference held in New York City.
This strategic realignment reflects a broader industry trend. Block, the payments company founded by Jack Dorsey, eliminated nearly 4,000 positions last month, partially attributing the decision to an AI-centered reorganization. Similarly, OP Labs, the development team behind Optimism, reduced its workforce by approximately 20% last week.
Blockchain Data for AI Agents
Just days before announcing the leadership change, Li disclosed that Messari was enabling access to its data infrastructure for autonomous AI agents. By implementing the x402 protocol, the company has made its institutional-quality cryptocurrency data available to developers and AI systems.
This framework allows AI agents to independently acquire and compensate for blockchain intelligence using cryptocurrency wallets.
Messari is among several cryptocurrency-focused companies expanding into artificial intelligence, joining the ranks of Core Scientific, Cipher Mining, MARA Holdings, Hut 8, and Galaxy Digital.
Turner has indicated he will continue supporting Messari in an advisory capacity following his transition out of the CEO position.
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