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. 

“Anyone that votes against Trump at this point can die in a f*cking fire,” he tweeted, later deleting the post. 

He also declared, “The Civil War for the country started today, and if you are anti-Trump you are against the men who are willing to fight. Good luck.” This rhetoric continued with tweets advocating for self-defense and violence.

“Bolshevism cannot be cured with votes. We must excise the metastatic cancer and evil of the left, by force if necessary. This is why the Second Amendment was and is so important. Do not initiate violence, but if it’s brought to your door, finish with violence.”

Selkis’ incendiary narrative didn’t stop there. He further escalated his rhetoric by suggesting that unity might only come after a decisive victory, comparing the current moment to pivotal historical conflicts in 1776, 1860, and 1942. 

“Praying for peace. Preparing for war,” he tweeted, blending a call for peace with a stark readiness for conflict.

And the saga continued…

The controversy escalated when a Twitter user by the name of AdrianoFeria.eth criticized Selkis’ provocative statements. AdrianoFeria.eth, an immigrant who moved to the USA from Brazil, accused Selkis of promoting dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric. 

He described Selkis’ comments about a potential civil war and violence as “inflammatory” and “un-American,” urging a more measured approach to addressing political tensions.

Selkis’ response was anything but measured. He dismissed AdrianoFeria.eth’s critique as “the dumbest” he had seen and questioned the user’s American identity. 

Selkis tweeted, “Are you American?” and implied that AdrianoFeria.eth’s status as an immigrant disqualified him from commenting on American politics. He further reiterated, “If Trump is assassinated, we will have a Civil War in the U.S.”

The situation further escalated when Selkis learned that AdrianoFeria.eth was a green card holder about to apply for citizenship, Selkis replied, “I hope we send you back. … You are not entitled to citizenship. I hope it stays that way.” 

He also compared Trump’s would-be assassin to Senator Elizabeth Warren, using the term “physiognomy” to imply a physical resemblance, which many found deeply offensive.

The backlash against Selkis reached new heights when Suji Yan, CEO of Mask, publicly condemned his behavior. Yan announced that Mask would halt all potential deals with Messari and advised partners to reconsider their associations. 

Yan’s move was echoed by other users who vowed to distance themselves from Messari and criticized Selkis for his hateful remarks.

Make crypto great again?

As the days leading up to the 2024 election tick away, the political drama is heating up. Proponents of various candidates are pushing their agendas, and the stakes have never been higher. Whether it’s political leaders, supporters, or industry insiders, everyone seems to be in it for their own gain.

Meanwhile, Trump’s changing stance on crypto, coupled with the SEC’s recent approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January and now spot Ethereum ETFs, has set the stage for a crypto-centric election.

Amid this, figures like Ryan Selkis and others have been busy pushing their agendas, whether for the limelight, personal gain, or genuine belief in their cause. Selkis’s recent resignation amid controversy only adds to the tension and uncertainty in the crypto space.

Is everyone genuinely supporting their beliefs, or is it all about gaining power and influence? The lines are blurred, and the only certainty is that crypto’s role in this political drama is increasing.