Crypto Leaders Shift to AI: Is the Crypto Scene in Danger?
In early 2026, several well‑known crypto figures announced they were leaving or changing focus.
- Akshay BD said he was ready to hand over the torch after five years with Solana’s ecosystem.
- Anthony Rose moved on from zkSync after four years at Matter Labs.
- Nader Dabit switched from Eigen Labs to a new role at Cognition, where he will build “end‑to‑end software agents.”
- Kyle Samani stepped down as Multicoin’s managing partner to explore AI and robotics, though he remains optimistic about crypto.
These moves appeared coordinated, but they may just be part of a larger trend.
Why the Departures Matter
Senior leaders shape the flow of capital, ideas, and talent. When they leave, the network that connects projects to investors, developers to infrastructure, and companies to users can weaken. Even if the core developer base stays strong, losing these key connectors slows progress in areas like productization, compliance, and distribution.
AI’s Rising Magnetism
AI is attracting talent with a powerful combination of job growth and funding:
| Metric | 2023‑2025 |
|---|---|
| New AI roles worldwide (LinkedIn) | 1.3 million |
| Global AI funding (Crunchbase) | $211 billion in 2025 – about half of all venture capital |
| AI VC deal value share (WIPO) | ~53 % through Q3 2025 |
| Crypto VC funding (2025) | $19.7 billion |
For operators who value rapid learning and upside, AI currently offers faster product cycles and more capital than crypto does.
A Temporary Shift? – The Edge & Node View
Rodrigo Coehla, CEO of Edge & Node, argues that people who enter AI often return to crypto. He believes:
- AI will eventually use crypto’s transparent and autonomous infrastructure for trust, observability, and secure transactions.
- New regulations such as the GENIUS Act give stablecoins a clearer legal framework, helping attract institutional interest.
Developer Community Resilience
Data from Electric Capital shows a 7 % drop in total monthly active developers year‑over‑year for 2024, but this hides a rise among seasoned builders:
- Developers with two or more years of experience grew by 27 % YoY.
- Newcomers fell.
This pattern mirrors past bear markets and suggests that the core developer community remains resilient.
Bottlenecks in Institutional Trust
Critics argue that senior exits still matter because they create bottlenecks in the most challenging parts of crypto: turning technology into usable financial services. Building institutional trust, navigating regulations, and integrating with banks require experienced leaders who understand both the technical and legal landscapes. Losing them can delay market adoption, even if the underlying technology is solid.
Crypto’s Lasting Advantages
Crypto’s neutral settlement and programmable money allow open financial primitives that can be used without bilateral agreements. These features give crypto a unique edge over AI, which excels at speed and user reach but lacks the same depth of financial infrastructure. As regulators clarify rules around stablecoins, more institutions may adopt crypto rails, creating a feedback loop that pulls talent back into the space.
The Road Ahead
The future will depend on how quickly crypto can convert regulatory clarity and institutional interest into widely used products. If it succeeds, the industry may see a rebound driven by hybrid companies that blend AI and programmable money. If it fails, the talent drain could accelerate, leaving crypto with a fragmented ecosystem that struggles to deliver on its promise of reshaping finance.
