New Messari Chief Embraces AI-Driven Future Amid Workforce Reductions
Eric Turner steps down from Messari CEO position as Diran Li assumes leadership, implementing workforce reductions while shifting toward an AI-focused institutional cryptocurrency approach.
On Monday, blockchain intelligence firm Messari revealed plans for workforce reductions while its chief executive, Eric Turner, resigned to facilitate the organization's transformation into an AI-focused enterprise.
"Today, I stepped down as CEO of Messari and handed the reins to Diran," Turner said on X on Monday, referring to Diran Li, who rose to the top position following more than seven years in the role of chief technology officer at the firm.
He added that it "wasn't an easy decision, but it's the right one for the company's next phase, and he has my full support."
Following founder Ryan Selkis' resignation, Turner assumed the interim CEO position in July 2024. Addressing the workforce reductions, Turner characterized it as a "difficult day for the team as we say goodbye to many people who helped build Messari."
The exact number of affected employees was not disclosed. In January 2025, Messari eliminated approximately 15% of its full-time workforce, having implemented comparable staff reductions back in February 2023.
Messari pivots to an AI-first company
Through a distinct post, Diran Li revealed his transition into the chief executive position at Messari.
"After conversations with Eric and the board, we agreed this is the right step for the company's next chapter," he said.
Li acknowledged the workforce reductions, explaining that the leadership change comes with a challenging decision: "We've parted ways with many teammates who helped build Messari into what it is today."
"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 cryptocurrency research and data provider, Messari progressively integrated artificial intelligence capabilities into its product offerings throughout 2024.
Blockchain intelligence for agentic AI
In the previous week, Li revealed that Messari would make its data infrastructure accessible to autonomous agents, implementing the x402 protocol to "bring our institutional-grade crypto intelligence to every builder and agent on the internet."
This strategic shift enables developers and artificial intelligence agents to independently access and purchase data from the blockchain intelligence provider through cryptocurrency wallets.
Messari joins a growing list of cryptocurrency-native organizations expanding their operations into artificial intelligence, following the recent trajectory of Core Scientific, Cipher Mining, MARA Holdings, Hut 8, and Galaxy Digital.