Messari CEO Ryan Selkis steps down

• Ryan Selkis is stepping down as CEO of crypto platform Messari.
• Eric Turner, the company’s chief revenue officer, replaces him as interim CEO.

Ryan Selkis is stepping down from his role as CEO of crypto platform Messari, the firm announced on Friday.

Selkis, whose exit as CEO will see him take up a senior advisor role, is taking this step after a week that saw him face post a series of controversial political tweets.

“A leader’s first responsibility is to his team. This week was the first week in 6.5 years that my politics and rhetoric put the team in harms way,” he wrote. “As such, I have decided to step aside as CEO.”

Selkis’ political tweets

Selkis has increasingly been vocal in his support for former President Donald Trump’s candidacy in the upcoming US election. Having castigated President Joe Biden severally on X, Selkis became particularly ill-tempered after last week’s attempted assassination of Trump during a campaign rally.

In one tweet, he noted that anyone looking to vote against Trump in November could as well “die in a f*cking fire.” He also called the upcoming election “literal war” and told an immigrant that he hoped the US sends them back.

On July 18, Selkis shared via X that the attempted assassination had USA “narrowly” avoid Civil War. He met the Messari team after he “ran too hot this week,”- referring to his outbursts and statements on X.

Messari confirmed his exit:

“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. Messari would not be the company it is today, or what it will be in the future, without Ryan’s clear vision and devoted leadership,” the company announced.

Eric Turner, the company’s chief revenue officer, will take over as the interim CEO.