Messari CEO Steps Down: How One Executive's X Meltdown Shook Crypto Leadership

Messari just underwent a surprise leadership change that has the crypto community buzzing. Founder Ryan Selkis stepped down from his CEO position after a week of inflammatory X posts that sparked massive backlash—both from the public and his own team.

What Went Down

Selkis’s posts crossed multiple lines: he called for civil war, made derogatory remarks about immigrants, and even told a green card holder “I hope we send you back.” He also attacked Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin for suggesting the crypto industry should be cautious about politically-aligned voting, calling his commentary “naive and useless.”

Among his most disturbing tweets: “Anyone that votes against Trump at this point can die in a f***ing fire” and “The Civil War for the country started today. Bolshevism cannot be cured with votes”—essentially advocating for political violence. He also weaponized outdated pseudoscience terminology (“physiognomy”) to mock Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Leadership Transition

Eric Turner, Messari’s Chief Revenue Officer since 2018, is now interim CEO. Turner built the company’s research division from scratch and has been with Selkis since day one. In his resignation statement, Selkis credited Turner as “an understated, but terrific partner” and said he’s stepping back to focus on crypto policy and national issues.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just office drama—it’s a reality check for crypto leadership. When executives lose the plot on social media, it doesn’t just hurt their reputation; it affects the entire ecosystem’s credibility. Selkis will remain as a Senior Advisor, but the message is clear: even founders aren’t immune to consequences when they cross ethical lines.

Messari’s move shows that accountability still exists in an industry that often preaches decentralization but needs stronger governance at the institutional level.