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

According to Consensys CEO and Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin, the next significant milestone for the crypto industry will be driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). In a recent conversation with CoinDesk, Lubin emphasized that autonomous or semi-autonomous agents can facilitate transactions, coordinate activities, and verify one another on decentralized networks, utilizing crypto infrastructure as the foundation for machine-driven interactions. Lubin, who is scheduled to speak at Consensus Miami 2026, expressed his support for the idea that blockchain technology is well-suited for machine intelligences, but he does not envision humans being replaced. Instead, he predicts that increasingly sophisticated interfaces will simplify complexity, enabling users to interact with crypto systems through intent rather than manual inputs, with AI serving as an intermediary layer between people and protocols. However, this vision also carries risks, as the concentration of AI infrastructure among large technology firms could have negative consequences, according to Lubin. He stressed that decentralized systems and cryptography will be crucial in ensuring accountability and enabling machines to 'check on one another' in transparent, verifiable environments. As part of this broader shift, products like MetaMask are evolving to reflect the change. Lubin described the wallet as being rebuilt as 'a new kind of neobank that you own and control,' part of a transition toward what he described as a 'personal money operating system.' AI-powered agents could act on behalf of users, managing assets, executing transactions, and navigating a growing decentralized economy. 'You can walk around with your personal financial system in your pocket,' he noted. Beyond interfaces, Lubin pointed to structural changes across the Ethereum ecosystem, including the rise of corporate chains on Ethereum. He expects companies to increasingly adopt 'corporate chains' to achieve higher throughput and greater control over their infrastructure. However, he emphasized that assets are best issued on Ethereum's base layer, stating that 'the best way to ensure that an asset is durable... is to mint it on Ethereum layer one,' even if the asset is later used across other networks. Stablecoins, one of the fastest-growing sectors in crypto, are part of this transition but not the ultimate goal. Lubin characterized them as a 'stepping stone' toward more fully decentralized financial systems, noting that current models remain heavily reliant on centralized issuers. Over time, he expects growth in decentralized collateral to enable more robust, crypto-native forms of money. Regarding tokenization more broadly, Lubin suggested that traditional finance and decentralized finance are entering a period of convergence, combining centuries of financial innovation with newer blockchain-based systems. The result, he said, will be a more granular and programmable global economy. While addressing longer-term technical risks like 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.