Messari’s pro-Trump CEO Ryan Selkis steps down after controversial tweets — here’s what happened

How Ryan Selkis’s tweets escalated from personal grievances to staunch political statements to, ultimately his exit

Ryan Selkis, the founder and now ex-CEO of Messari, has abruptly resigned following a torrent of incendiary and controversial tweets that rocked the crypto community.

Announcing his decision on July 19, Selkis cited his desire to focus on crypto policy and national issues, stepping down after days of intense public backlash. Selkis’s sudden exit leaves Messari at a crossroads, with Chief Revenue Officer Eric Turner stepping in as interim CEO.

Known for his sharp insights in the crypto world, Selkis has been at the center of social media storms before, but this latest episode has taken things to a new level, ultimately leading to his departure.

Selkis’s recent outburst began following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, an event that seemed to trigger a cascade of angry tweets. 

The content of Selkis’s tweets ranged from personal grievances to staunch political statements, causing quite a stir within the crypto community.

On July 18, Selkis tweeted about a “tough love” session with Messari’s leadership. In his tweet, he expressed gratitude to those who approached him in good faith to help rein him in. 

He admitted to having “run too hot” and promised to address the situation fully soon, hinting at internal tensions within Messari.

The following day, July 19, Selkis issued a public apology. He acknowledged his anger and mentioned his admiration for President Trump, whose near-death experience after ten years of hatred had deeply affected him. 

Let’s delve deeper into the drama and understand what Selkis has been saying and how the situation ultimately led to his exit.

Here is how it all started… and ended

Selkis, with over 354,000 followers on Twitter (X), is a prominent figure in crypto Twitter. His role has been instrumental in pushing crypto to the forefront of the 2024 election through a meticulously crafted playbook. 

He also played a key role in bolstering FairShake, a super PAC that has amassed millions to support pro-crypto candidates. 

Selkis’s deep connections with influential figures like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and venture capitalist Fred Ehrsam, along with backing from heavyweights like Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital and angel investor Balaji Srinivasan, solidify his standing in the crypto community.

Selkis is no stranger to controversy. He’s known for his blunt and often inflammatory remarks. He once labeled national leaders as “pussies”.

He has also consistently directed his ire towards Gary Gensler, the chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), calling him a rat and snake, among other things.

The latest storm surrounding Selkis began after an attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life. In the wake of this incident, Selkis took to Twitter with a series of incendiary posts.