Blockchain data provider Messari announced a round of layoffs on Monday as CEO Eric Turner stepped down, paving the way for the company’s shift toward becoming an AI-first organization.
“Today, I stepped down as CEO of Messari and handed the reins to Diran,” Turner said on X, referring to Diran Li, who previously served as the company’s chief technology officer for more than seven years.
Turner acknowledged that the decision was difficult but expressed confidence in the leadership transition, stating it was the right move for the company’s next phase and that Li has his full support.
He had been serving as interim CEO since July 2024, following the resignation of Messari founder Ryan Selkis. Addressing the layoffs, Turner described it as a “difficult day” for the organization as it parts ways with employees who contributed to building the firm.
The company did not disclose the number of roles affected. Messari previously reduced its workforce by around 15% in January 2025 and implemented a similar round of layoffs in February 2023.
Messari shifts toward an AI-first strategy
In a separate post, Diran Li confirmed he has stepped into the CEO role at Messari.
“After conversations with Eric and the board, we agreed this is the right step for the company’s next chapter,” Li said.
He also confirmed the layoffs, noting that the transition involved a difficult decision to reduce staff. “We’ve parted ways with many teammates who helped build Messari into what it is today,” he added.
“Looking ahead, we’re doubling down on Messari as an AI-first company serving institutions through research and AI products.”
Founded in 2018 as a dedicated crypto research and data firm, Messari has gradually integrated artificial intelligence into its offerings, accelerating those efforts in 2024.
Expanding into AI-driven blockchain intelligence
Last week, CEO Diran Li announced that Messari is opening its data layer to autonomous agents by adopting the x402 protocol, aiming to bring institutional-grade crypto intelligence to developers and AI systems across the internet.
This initiative will enable developers and AI agents to independently access and pay for blockchain data using crypto wallets, streamlining how on-chain intelligence is consumed.
Messari joins a growing list of crypto-native firms expanding into AI, including Core Scientific, Cipher Mining, MARA Holdings, Hut 8, and Galaxy Digital.
