Ryan Selkis has resigned as the CEO of Messari, a company he co-founded that focuses on crypto data and research. This decision came after a series of controversial tweets he posted about politics, civil war, and immigration. Selkis made the announcement on X, a social media platform where he had been sharing these contentious messages throughout the week.
In his statement, Selkis acknowledged the impact his political views and rhetoric had on his team, leading him to step down from his position as CEO. He expressed his disappointment with the media and the government’s response to the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, criticizing their failure to address the divisive language that may have contributed to the attack.
Selkis, who has a history of being outspoken on social media, escalated his comments following the assassination attempt, even going as far as wishing harm on those who opposed Trump. His remarks towards immigrants were also inflammatory, stating that he hoped they would be sent back and emphasizing that they were not entitled to citizenship.
Despite his resignation, Selkis immediately returned to discussing national issues on social media, indicating that he would be focusing on crypto policy and other important matters moving forward. Messari announced that Eric Turner, the Chief Revenue Officer, will take on the role of interim CEO following Selkis’ departure.
In addition to his role at Messari, Selkis has played a significant part in the crypto industry’s political fundraising efforts in the United States. He was previously the CEO of CoinDesk and gained attention a decade ago for exposing the insolvency of Mt. Gox, a now-defunct crypto exchange.
It is clear that Selkis’ strong opinions and provocative statements have had consequences for his leadership at Messari. As the company looks to move forward under new leadership, it remains to be seen how Selkis’ departure will impact its operations and reputation in the crypto community.