Business
Ryan Selkis Resigns as CEO of Messari Following Controversial Tweets
Ryan Selkis steps down as CEO of Messari amid backlash from controversial tweets. Explore the implications of his resignation on the company and the broader cryptocurrency landscape, as the community reacts to this unexpected development.
Ryan Selkis Resigns as CEO of Messari Amid Controversial Rhetoric
In a surprising turn of events, Ryan Selkis, the co-founder and former CEO of Messari, a prominent crypto data and research firm, announced his resignation. His decision comes in the wake of a series of incendiary tweets that sparked widespread outrage, touching on sensitive topics such as politics, civil unrest, and immigration.
On Friday, Selkis took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share his decision, expressing regret over how his recent comments may have jeopardized the safety of his team. “This week was the first week in 6.5 years that my politics and rhetoric put the team in harm’s way,” he stated. “As such, I have decided to step aside as CEO.”
Known for his provocative online presence, Selkis intensified his rhetoric following an assassination attempt on Donald Trump last weekend. His inflammatory comments included a post declaring, “Anyone that votes against Trump at this point can die in a f*cking fire,” which he shared shortly after the shocking incident, referring to it as “literal war.”
Additionally, Selkis directed a harsh message toward an immigrant on the platform, stating, “I hope we send you back. … You are not entitled to citizenship. I hope it stays that way.” These statements drew considerable backlash, further complicating the atmosphere surrounding his leadership.
In his resignation announcement, Selkis expressed his disillusionment with the media and governmental responses to the assassination attempt, stating, “I have been disgusted at the media and administration’s abject failures at pressing for answers in the attack’s aftermath, as well as their failure to tamp down divisive rhetoric that contributed to the attack in the first place.”
In light of Selkis’s departure, Eric Turner, the Chief Revenue Officer of Messari, will assume the role of interim CEO. The company released a statement on X, indicating, “Ryan recently let us know of his decision to step back from an operational role as the CEO of Messari so that he can focus his time fully on crypto policy and national issues of importance to him.”