Ethereum Co-Founder Joseph Lubin Highlights the Risks of AI Control by Major Tech Companies

According to Joseph Lubin, CEO of Consensys and co-founder of Ethereum, the next significant milestone for the crypto industry will be driven by artificial intelligence (AI). In a recent interview, Lubin noted that autonomous or semi-autonomous agents can execute transactions, coordinate, and verify one another on decentralized networks, leveraging crypto as the foundation for machine-driven activities. Lubin, who is set to speak at Consensus Miami 2026, expressed his support for the idea that blockchain technology is suited for machine intelligences, but he does not foresee humans being replaced. Instead, he envisions increasingly intelligent interfaces that will simplify complexity, enabling users to interact with crypto systems through intent rather than manual inputs, with AI serving as the intermediary layer between people and protocols. However, this vision also carries risks, as Lubin warned that if AI infrastructure remains concentrated among a few large tech firms, it could lead to trouble. He emphasized the importance of decentralized systems and cryptography in ensuring accountability and enabling machines to verify one another in transparent environments. As part of this shift, products like MetaMask are evolving to reflect the change, with Lubin describing the wallet as a "new kind of neobank that you own and control," part of a transition toward a "personal money operating system." AI-powered agents could act on behalf of users, managing assets and navigating a growing decentralized economy. Lubin also discussed the rise of corporate chains on Ethereum, expecting companies to seek higher throughput and greater control over their infrastructure. He argued that assets are best issued on Ethereum's base layer to ensure durability. Stablecoins are part of this transition, but not the endpoint, as they are currently reliant on centralized issuers. Over time, Lubin expects growth in decentralized collateral to enable more robust forms of crypto-native money. On tokenization, he suggested that traditional finance and decentralized finance are converging, combining centuries of financial innovation with newer blockchain-based systems. This convergence will result in a more granular and programmable global economy. While acknowledging the potential risks of quantum computing, Lubin struck a measured tone, stating that Ethereum developers have been preparing for years and view it as part of the natural evolution of Ethereum.