Ryan Selkis

Ryan Selkis #

Introduction #

Ryan Selkis, known on X as @Selkis_2028, is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Messari, a leading crypto data and research platform. A vocal advocate for blockchain technology and pro-crypto policies, Selkis has built a reputation for his sharp commentary and political activism. However, in July 2024, his inflammatory social media posts following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump sparked widespread backlash, leading to his resignation from Messari and what many described as a “cancellation” on social media. This article explores Selkis’s background, the controversy that led to his public downfall, and its lasting impact on his career and life.

Background Information #

Ryan Selkis emerged as a key player in the cryptocurrency space through his work as a blogger, entrepreneur, and industry advocate. In 2013, under the pseudonym “TwoBitIdiot,” he gained attention for leaking documents that exposed the insolvency of Mt. Gox, a major crypto exchange that later collapsed. This established him as a trusted voice in the crypto community. In 2018, Selkis co-founded Messari, a platform providing market intelligence, research, and data solutions for the cryptocurrency industry, which grew to a reported valuation of $300 million by 2022. With over 354,000 followers on X by 2024, Selkis became a leading figure on “Crypto Twitter,” known for his blunt critiques of regulators, particularly SEC Chair Gary Gensler.

Selkis also played a significant role in crypto’s political landscape, helping establish Fairshake, a super PAC that raised millions to support pro-crypto candidates in the 2024 U.S. elections. His connections with industry leaders like Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Galaxy Digital’s Mike Novogratz bolstered his influence. However, his combative style and willingness to engage in controversial rhetoric often put him at odds with critics, setting the stage for the events of July 2024.

The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation #

The controversy that led to Ryan Selkis’s cancellation began on July 13, 2024, following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. Selkis, a vocal Trump supporter, reacted with a series of inflammatory posts on X, which he later deleted but were widely screenshotted and reposted by critics, including crypto skeptic Molly White. These posts, characterized by violent and divisive rhetoric, sparked significant backlash within and beyond the crypto community. Key examples include:

  • Violent Political Rhetoric: On July 13, 2024, Selkis posted, “Anyone that votes against Trump at this point can die in a f*cking fire. Literal war.” This post, which he later deleted, suggested extreme hostility toward Trump’s political opponents and framed the election as a battle requiring violence.
  • Advocacy for Violence: On July 14, 2024, Selkis wrote, “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.” This post alarmed many for its explicit endorsement of potential violence against political adversaries.
  • Anti-Immigrant Comments: In an exchange with X user Adriano Feria, Selkis questioned Feria’s immigration status, asking if he was “a citizen or just a green card holder?” When Feria responded that he was a green card holder living in the U.S. for nearly a decade, Selkis replied, “I hope we send you back. … You are not entitled to citizenship. I hope it stays that way.” This comment drew accusations of xenophobia and further fueled the controversy.
  • Provocative Comparisons: Selkis posted images of a bloodied Trump alongside a photo of President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden during the Osama bin Laden raid, captioning it “Too true.” He also targeted Senator Elizabeth Warren, posting side-by-side images of her and Trump’s would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, implying a connection with the question, “Are you happy that Trump is still alive? Or disappointed to have missed your shot in taking out a ‘dictator who will destroy democracy’?” These posts were seen as inflammatory and irresponsible.

The backlash was immediate. On July 18, 2024, Molly White, a crypto critic running the publication Web3 is Going Just Great, compiled and shared Selkis’s posts, amplifying their visibility. Crypto journalists and community members circulated her thread, criticizing Selkis’s rhetoric as unbefitting a CEO of a venture-backed company. Messari’s leadership, backed by firms like Galaxy Digital and Brevan Howard, held a “tough love” session with Selkis, urging him to moderate his rhetoric. On July 18, Selkis acknowledged he had “run too hot” and promised to address the situation, but the damage was done.

By July 19, 2024, Selkis announced his resignation as Messari’s CEO, stating, “This week was the first week in 6.5 years that my politics and rhetoric put the team in harm’s way. As such, I have decided to step aside as CEO.” He transitioned to a senior advisor role, with Chief Revenue Officer Eric Turner taking over as interim CEO. Selkis later claimed he had privately apologized to Feria and argued that critics took his comments out of context, but the public outcry labeled his actions as a textbook case of “cancellation.”

Public Reaction and Consequences #

The public reaction to Selkis’s posts was overwhelmingly negative, particularly within the crypto community, which feared his rhetoric could damage the industry’s reputation. Critics on X and other platforms condemned his comments as reckless, with one user writing, “Ryan Selkis, as a white American, surely comes from a family of immigrants as well. To proclaim he has any greater authority over who can come and live here is unconstitutional and hypocritical.” Others accused him of undermining Messari’s credibility, with posts on X calling his behavior “an abomination” and questioning his leadership.

The crypto industry, already sensitive to regulatory scrutiny, saw Selkis’s posts as a liability. Messari’s board and investors, including high-profile backers, reportedly pressured him to step down to avoid further reputational harm. The company issued a statement clarifying that “Ryan’s Twitter and public persona is not representative of Messari,” distancing itself from his actions. The backlash also led to Selkis setting his X account to private temporarily, though he continued posting about political issues.

Selkis’s resignation was seen as a direct consequence of the controversy, with media outlets like CoinDesk, Axios, and The Block covering the story extensively. Some defended Selkis, arguing that “cancel culture warriors” had exaggerated the issue by taking his comments out of context. Selkis himself claimed the backlash was an attempt to “get a scalp,” but the consensus was that his rhetoric had crossed a line, especially given his role as a public-facing CEO.

Current Status #

As of July 29, 2025, Ryan Selkis is no longer Messari’s CEO but remains a senior advisor, focusing on long-term strategy and crypto policy. On September 5, 2024, he announced his complete departure from Messari to launch Project Solomon, a new venture aimed at supporting Donald Trump’s re-election and building a “parallel Washington” using modern technologies like cryptocurrency and AI. Selkis stated he would publish content on X and Substack starting September 9, 2024, focusing on political strategies and election-related issues.

Recent posts on X from Selkis (@Selkis_2028) reflect his continued defiance. On July 18, 2025, he claimed he was “blacklisted” from a White House event due to interference from Coinbase, alleging their team defamed him. On July 20, 2025, he called Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong an “SBF-level traitor,” accusing him of lying and defamation. On July 28, 2025, Selkis referenced his resignation, stating, “I resigned in June. The board and team wanted me to stay. Then they shot Trump in the head, and I said ‘fuck this, we ball.’ Libs thought they got a scalp, and I’ve been able to ride the ‘crazy’ train for a year to great results.” These posts suggest Selkis remains unapologetic and is leveraging his controversial persona for his new political venture.

Impact on Their Career/Life #

The controversy had a significant impact on Ryan Selkis’s career and public image. His resignation from Messari, a company he co-founded and led for 6.5 years, marked a major professional setback. The crypto industry, which he helped shape through Messari and political fundraising, distanced itself from his inflammatory rhetoric to protect its credibility amid regulatory battles. His departure from Messari’s operational leadership and eventual exit to focus on Project Solomon indicate a pivot from corporate leadership to political activism, a move that aligns with his stated passion for addressing “systemic problems” in institutions.

Personally, Selkis expressed regret for letting his posts overshadow Messari’s strategic goals, admitting to DL News that he “got sloppy” due to anger over the Trump assassination attempt. His decision to double down on political commentary, as seen in his X posts, suggests he is embracing a polarizing public persona rather than retreating from controversy. However, this has strained relationships, as evidenced by his claims of being blacklisted by Coinbase and his public feud with Brian Armstrong.

The cancellation also highlighted the risks of unfiltered social media presence for high-profile CEOs, particularly in industries under scrutiny. While Selkis retains a loyal following among pro-Trump and pro-crypto audiences, his mainstream influence in the crypto sector has diminished. Project Solomon represents a new chapter, but its success remains uncertain, with Selkis estimating a 30% chance of “catastrophic outcomes” in global governance over the next decade. His legacy in crypto is now tied to both his contributions to Messari and Fairshake and the controversy that led to his exit, illustrating the double-edged nature of his outspoken style.

In conclusion, Ryan Selkis’s cancellation underscores the volatility of public discourse on platforms like X, where inflammatory rhetoric can lead to swift professional consequences. His shift to political activism suggests he views the controversy as a catalyst for a broader mission, but it remains to be seen whether he can rebuild his influence outside the crypto industry he once helped define.