Crypto Market Intelligence Platform Messari has appointed former chief technology officer Dylan Lee as its new CEO and confirmed job cuts as part of a broader restructuring centered around AI.
This leadership change follows the departure of Eric Turner after less than two years at the company. Turner was appointed interim CEO in July 2024 following the resignation of founder Ryan Serkis.
From cryptographic research company to AI native platform
Lee announced the transition on Twitter, acknowledging that the transition would require difficult cuts.
“This move involves some difficult decisions. We parted ways with many of our teammates who helped make Messerli what it is today,” wrote Dylan Lee.
The new CEO did not say how many employees were affected. Messari had already cut its workforce by about 15% in January 2025 under Turner’s watch.
Lee framed the reorganization around a clear product theory. Messari will now operate as an AI-first company serving institutional clients through research and AI-powered analytical tools.
Built for agents, not just analysts
The strategic pivot is already taking shape in Messari’s product stack. The company recently integrated AgentCash with its Messari AI tool to enable device-based crypto analysis and on-chain payments via the x402 protocol.
Combine @agentcashdev and Messari AI to create a powerful crypto analysis team 🤝
You can now launch both on your device and make x402 payments with your cryptocurrency wallet
Let’s see how it all works 👇
— Messari (@MessariCrypto) March 16, 2026
Separately, Messari introduced sentiment and mindshare tracking through AI capabilities, allowing users to gauge the mood of the market regarding a particular digital asset.
Did you know you can use Messari AI and x402 to measure cryptocurrency mindshare and sentiment?
Claude Code’s Messari skill allows you to dig into information about the cryptocurrency market and sentiment around specific digital assets.
Take the data you got and how to display it… pic.twitter.com/Ugr4npCIrn
— Messari (@MessariCrypto) March 16, 2026
Its institutional-grade API currently covers over 40,000 assets and supports pay-per-request access over x402, lowering the barrier for developers and autonomous agents alike.
Industry-wide patterns
Messerli’s reorganization fits into a broader trend. OP Labs cut about 20% of its team last week, and Block Inc. cut about 4,000 positions last month. Gemini also recently cut 25% of its workforce.
But for Messerli, Lee is betting the company’s future on the convergence of AI and cryptographic data infrastructure.
While demand from institutional investors is increasing in this market, competition is increasing just as quickly.
The post Messari cuts jobs, taps new CEO on institutional crypto intelligence bets appeared first on BeInCrypto.
