Pro-Trump ‘Civil War’ Tweets Stir Crypto Community as Many Threaten Boycotts

Crypto insider Ryan Selkis’s inflammatory pro-Trump tweets, referencing civil war, spark backlash in the crypto industry.

Donald Trump delivering a speach on a Bitcoin event.
Created by Gabor Kovacs from DailyCoin
  • Pro-Trump civil war comments spark controversy.
  • Industry figures call for boycotts of Messari.
  • CEO apologizes for inflammatory remarks. 

The crypto community is becoming increasingly entangled in politics. After Donald Trump shifted position on the industry, several prominent figures in crypto have announced their support of the former President.

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Ryan Selkis, founder and CEO of crypto research platform Messari, came under fire after a series of incendiary tweets referencing the assassination attempt on Trump. The comments divided the community, with many threatening boycotts of Messari. 

‘Civil War’ Tweets Stir Backlash in Crypto Community

On Monday, July 14, Messari CEO Ryan Selkis posted a series of tweets in support of former President Donald Trump, making incendiary comments that included references to a “civil war.” These remarks followed an assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the day before. 

Selkis’s tweets included statements such as, “Anyone that votes against Trump at this point can die in a f****** fire. Literal war.” These comments quickly drew attention and condemnation from the crypto community. Mask Network founder Suji Yan publicly denounced Selkis, urging partners to reconsider their associations with Messari and advising caution in future dealings.

The backlash was swift and widespread. Prominent figures within the crypto industry called for boycotts of Messari and its events. Suji Yan’s response was particularly notable: “This is r****ded. Will stop all potential deals with Messari and stop going to all their events. Will also advise our partners and portfolio companies to think twice on partnering with them.”

Selkis issued an apology on Thursday, June 18 in light of the uproar. He stated, “I’m sorry I was angry last weekend. I’ve seen enough of President Trump to love the man and his sacrifice. I took things too far after I saw the result of 10 years of hate nearly take his life. We will win through character, strength, and non-violence.”

Is Crypto Becoming Increasingly Politicized? 

The intersection of cryptocurrency and politics has become more pronounced, particularly with Trump’s recent U-turn on digital assets. A March poll shows that 48% of crypto holders plan to vote for Trump, compared to 39% for Biden. 

Initially skeptical of cryptocurrencies, Trump has now embraced them, positioning himself as a pro-crypto candidate for the 2024 presidential election. At a fundraising event in June 2024, Trump declared his intention to be the “crypto president.” 

The recent assassination attempt on Trump further galvanized his supporters and intensified divisions in the political space. Several pro-Trump commentators claimed that divisive rhetoric from Democrats contributed to the assassination attempt. On the other hand, Democrats highlighted the gun control issue and the fact that the shooter was a registered Republican. 

On the Flipside

  • The assassination attempt on Trump led to a surge of Trump-themed tokens, some of which rose as much as 40%. 
  • Despite most crypto holders leaning Republican, several prominent Democratic politicians, including New York Mayor Eric Adams, support crypto. 

Why This Matters

The reaction to Messari CEO’s inflammatory tweets shows the risks of industry leaders openly talking about politics. This is especially true when the shared opinions are divisive, as they run the risk of alienating business partners and customers. 

Read more about Trump’s positions on crypto: 
Trump Keynotes Bitcoin 2024 as Crypto Campaign Heats Up

Read more about ‘Universal Apps’ and their potential: 
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This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

Author
David Marsanic

David Marsanic is DailyCoin’s journalist, focusing on Solana and crypto exchanges. David currently doesn’t hold any crypto.

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