Yo, what’s poppin’, crypto fam? So, get this—Messari, one of the OGs in buy crypto research, just went and cut 15% of its workforce. Yup, 15%! Crazy, right? But don’t freak out, they’re just cleaning up the squad and playing the long game, baby. Let’s break it down ‘cause this move is all about stacking up for that big future bag. You down for the tea? Alright, here we go!
Messari’s Big Move: Time to Slim Down and Level Up
So, earlier this week, Messari’s CEO, Eric Turner, came through with the announcement. They’re trimming the fat and putting their focus on the things that really matter. “We’ve made some major changes to optimize our business and ramp up growth in the stuff that’s actually popping,” he said. Now, that right there is code for “we’re cutting off the fluff and going full beast mode on what actually works.” Smart move, right?
And yo, this ain’t just a couple of peeps getting the boot. We’re talking 15% of the crew getting a one-way ticket out. And guess what? Even freelancers are getting the axe. Classic start-of-the-year vibes when companies are like, “Yo, what’s our budget looking like, and who’s sticking around?” Don’t feel bad for them, though—they’ve got their sights on bigger moves.
Messari: What’s the Hype About?
Okay, okay, I get it. Some of you might be thinking, “Who the heck is Messari anyway?” Don’t sweat it, I got you. Messari’s been in the game since 2018, and they’ve been flexing on the research scene ever since. If you need data on the latest crypto trends, price reports, or basically anything that’s going down in the blockchain world, Messari’s got your back. They’re like the Google of crypto research.
They even run Mainnet, the crypto event of the year. If you’re in the space, it’s the place to be—think of it as the Coachella of crypto conferences. Whether you’re a crypto bro, a dev, or an investor looking to rub elbows with the big dogs, Mainnet’s where all the action’s at.
Messari’s been pulling in big stacks too. They raised $21 million in 2021 and $35 million in 2022. Oh, and the company’s valued at $300 million. No joke. So yeah, Messari’s basically been printing money while giving us all the data we need to navigate this crazy market.
Crypto World Shaking It Up: More Layoffs? Yup.
But hold up—Messari’s not the only one making cuts. The whole crypto industry is trimming down. Foundry, one of the top mining pools, cut 27% of their team, Kraken laid off people, and dYdX followed suit. This ain’t a coincidence, fam—companies in crypto are cutting back to focus on efficiency. This space ain’t all rainbows and moon trips anymore; it’s about surviving the bear market and making sure you don’t run out of cash. So yeah, layoffs are kinda the new norm in this game.
Messari’s just playing it smart. They’re focusing on what works, and the fluff? Gone. If you want to stay in the game and not burn through your funds, you gotta get lean.
What’s Behind the Messari Shuffle?
Okay, so now you’re probably like, “Why now? Why the cuts?” Well, here’s the scoop. Eric Turner and his crew wanna focus on the core products. They’re not here for the side hustle—they’re going all-in on the big stuff that’s driving their growth. But, and this is juicy, let’s talk about their former CEO, Ryan Selkis.
Ryan, the guy who had big dreams of bringing on 1,000 analysts to fuel their expansion, dipped out in mid-2024. The guy’s outta here. Why? Well, rumor has it he didn’t take too kindly to some of his own wild social media posts about Trump and his views on immigration. Yep, this dude went off on Twitter, and it didn’t sit well with the Messari crew. So, maybe Ryan’s departure had a bigger effect on the company’s shift in direction than we’re being told. It’s all about that fresh energy, baby.
What’s Next for Messari? Here’s the Lowdown
Now, you’re probably like, “Okay, so they cut the team. Big deal, what’s next?” Well, let me tell you, Messari’s not going anywhere. They’ve still got deep pockets with that $35 million funding, and the team’s focused on getting even stronger. The layoff move is about tightening up so they can be ready for the next big wave.
