Messari CTO Takes Over as CEO, Announces Layoffs and AI-First Pivot

Founded in 2018, Messari provides crypto-asset market data, industry research and the Mainnet conference in New York, primarily serving institutional clients. The company raised more than $50 million across its Series A and B rounds. As competition in market data intensifies, its ability to use AI to improve research efficiency and product value will be pivotal to the growth of its institutional business.

Messari announced on March 17, 2026, that Chief Technology Officer Diran Li had taken over as CEO, with Eric Turner stepping down and becoming an adviser. Li also launched a restructuring that cut multiple jobs, saying the company would double down on an AI-first strategy and roll out AI-powered research products and services. Messari did not disclose the number or proportion of employees affected or any related financial figures.