Consensys Is Splitting in Two as MetaMask Goes Its Own Way

In brief

• Consensys Software Inc. plans to separate its consumer and institutional businesses by the end of 2026.
• The existing company will become MetaMask, with Joe Lubin serving as chairman and CEO.
• A newly formed Consensys will house Linea and the firm's Ethereum protocol and institutional infrastructure operations.

Consensys Software Inc. is splitting its consumer and institutional businesses, with the existing company rebranding as MetaMask—the brand best known for its crypto wallet—and a newly formed Consensys taking over its Ethereum protocols and institutional blockchain infrastructure, according to an announcement Wednesday.

MetaMask will be led by Consensys co-founder Joe Lubin as chairman and CEO. The new Consensys will be led by CEO Mike Kriak and President David Cunningham, with Lubin serving as executive chairman. (Disclosure: Consensys is one of several investors in Dastan, Decrypt’s parent company.)

The companies will operate independently, separating MetaMask’s consumer finance business from Consensys’ Ethereum protocols and institutional blockchain infrastructure, with the split expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

"MetaMask grew out of that work into the world's most widely used self-custodial wallet, and today it's becoming something larger: a platform where people don't just hold their assets, but manage their money in its many diverse forms and aspects," Lubin said in a statement. "Stepping into this role full-time is a recognition that consumer finance deserves the same focus and ambition that we've brought to building Ethereum itself."