After ‘Civil War’ and anti-immigrant tweets, Ryan Selkis has been advised by his crypto startup’s leadership to cool it

Ryan Selkis, founder and CEO of the crypto data platform Messari, is known for his candid and often provocative presence on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). He frequently targets figures such as Gary Gensler from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with sharp criticisms. However, his recent comments following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump have drawn exceptional attention for their intensity and nature.

Selkis's reactions to the attempt on Trump's life were striking even by his own standards. He posted on X expressing extreme anger and issuing threats towards anyone who opposed Trump. His tweets included incendiary statements such as wishing death upon those who vote against Trump and declaring a "Civil War" in the country. He also emphasized the importance of the Second Amendment and advocated for violence in self-defense, framing the current political climate as one requiring decisive and potentially violent action.

In light of these outbursts, colleagues at Messari, which is backed by prominent firms like Mike Novogratz's Galaxy Digital and hedge-fund titan Brevan Howard, reportedly valued at $300 million, intervened. They advised Selkis to temper his rhetoric. Selkis acknowledged this intervention on social media, expressing gratitude for the constructive criticism and indicating a willingness to address his recent behavior. He described the discussion as a "tough love" session that helped him rein in his more extreme impulses.

Despite making some of his tweets private and deleting the most inflammatory ones, Selkis continued to voice strong opinions. He maintained that his posts were a call to action, urging people to take the political situation seriously. He criticized the media for not protecting American values and preventing conflict, and reiterated his commitment to a mindset of offense, though he pledged to channel his anger more constructively.

Selkis's behavior is notably unusual for a CEO, especially one leading a company with significant venture capital investment. Messari plays a crucial role in the cryptocurrency industry, providing data and analytics on digital assets. Selkis's actions have potential implications for the company's reputation and its relationships with investors and users. His prominence in the industry, especially in efforts to regain influence in Washington following the fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, underscores the broader tensions and dynamics within the tech and crypto sectors.

Furthermore, Selkis's rhetoric extended to anti-immigration sentiments and direct attacks on public figures such as Senator Elizabeth Warren. He posted pictures of a bloodied Trump alongside images of Warren and the alleged would-be assassin, making unfounded and inflammatory comparisons. His use of the term "physiognomy," an outdated and discredited practice of judging character based on physical appearance, added another layer of controversy to his statements.

Selkis's aggressive stance continued even after the initial backlash. He emphasized the need for self-defense and criticized those who opposed his views. He framed his actions as a necessary response to protect children, prevent war, and defend American values. His subsequent posts indicated a commitment to maintaining his aggressive approach, though he suggested he would focus more on long-form content rather than short, provocative tweets.

Overall, Ryan Selkis's recent actions highlight the intense and often contentious nature of the current political and social climate, particularly within the tech and crypto communities. His behavior raises questions about the responsibilities and conduct of CEOs, especially in industries heavily reliant on public perception and investor confidence. The situation at Messari reflects broader challenges facing companies navigating the intersection of technology, finance, and politics in an increasingly polarized world.