Definition: Ryan Selkis (Twitter: @twobitidiot) is the founder of Messari, a leading crypto data and research platform, and the author of the Crypto Theses for [year] — an annual macro analysis report that has become a standard year-end read for institutional crypto participants since 2019.
Work and Career
Messari
- Token profiles and on-chain data
- Protocol revenue metrics
- Fundraising trackers
- Institutional research reports (Messari Pro)
- Governors tooling for DAO research
Crypto Theses Annual Report
Pre-Messari Career
- 2014–2017 — Joined Digital Currency Group (DCG) and CoinDesk; helped develop early institutional crypto research infrastructure.
- 2016 — Co-authored an early version of what would become standardized token disclosure documentation.
Timeline
- 2013 — Started “Two-Bit Idiot” blog; early prominent crypto commentator.
- 2014–2017 — Joined DCG and led CoinDesk expansion.
- 2018 — Founded Messari.
- 2019 — Published first Crypto Theses report.
- 2021–2022 — Messari raised $35M Series B at significant valuation during bull market.
- 2022–2023 — Crypto winter; Messari laid off ~22% of staff. Selkis became more outspoken about regulation and Washington policy.
- 2023 — Published Crypto Theses 2024, increasingly political/policy focused.
- 2024 — Stepped back from CEO role at Messari; transitioned to chairman.
- 2025 — Messari continued as major research institution. Selkis remained public voice.
Controversies
- Political commentary — Selkis has made increasingly political statements about regulators and DC, including aggressive criticism of the SEC’s Gary Gensler era. His sharpness alienated some readers who preferred data-only research.
- Bear market reputation — Messari’s 2021 valuation raised eyebrows; subsequent layoffs invited commentary about bull-market excess.
Social Media Sentiment
Selkis is highly respected in institutional crypto circles as a rigorous thinker and good-faith critic. His Theses report is treated as a legitimate annual research product, not promotional content. His political commentary is more divisive — praise from libertarian-leaning crypto circles, criticism from those who prefer research to stay apolitical.
Related Terms
Last updated: 2026-04