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

The next significant turning point for the crypto industry is expected to come from advancements in artificial intelligence, according to Joseph Lubin, the CEO of Consensys and co-founder of Ethereum. In a recent conversation with CoinDesk, Lubin emphasized that autonomous agents can facilitate transactions, coordinate activities, and verify processes on decentralized networks, leveraging crypto infrastructure as the foundation for machine-driven operations. 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 does not foresee humans being replaced. Instead, he envisions increasingly intelligent interfaces that will simplify complexity, allowing 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 comes with potential risks, as Lubin warned that if AI infrastructure remains concentrated among a few large tech firms, it could pose significant problems. He stressed the importance of decentralized systems and cryptography in ensuring accountability and enabling machines to operate transparently and verifiably. As part of this broader shift, products like MetaMask are evolving to reflect the changing landscape. Lubin described the wallet as being rebuilt as a "new kind of neobank that you own and control," marking a transition toward a "personal money operating system" where AI-powered agents can manage assets, execute transactions, and navigate the growing decentralized economy on behalf of users. The rise of corporate chains on the Ethereum blockchain is also expected, with Lubin anticipating that companies will seek higher throughput and greater control over their infrastructure. While he believes assets are best issued on Ethereum's base layer for durability, he also noted that stablecoins are part of a transition toward more fully decentralized financial systems, although current models still rely heavily on centralized issuers. Over time, Lubin expects growth in decentralized collateral to enable more robust, crypto-native forms of money. Additionally, he suggested that traditional finance and decentralized finance are converging, combining centuries of financial innovation with newer blockchain-based systems to create a more granular and programmable global economy. Regarding longer-term technical risks like quantum computing, Lubin adopted a measured tone, stating that Ethereum developers have been preparing for years and view it as part of the natural evolution of Ethereum.