Ethereum Co-Founder Joseph Lubin Cautions Against AI Control by Tech Giants

According to Joseph Lubin, CEO of Consensys and co-founder of Ethereum, the next significant milestone for crypto will be driven by artificial intelligence. In a recent interview, he noted that autonomous agents can engage in transactions and verification on decentralized networks, leveraging crypto infrastructure for machine-driven activities. Lubin, set to speak at Consensus Miami 2026, expressed sympathy for the idea that blockchain technology is suited for machine intelligences but does not envision human displacement. Instead, he sees increasingly intelligent interfaces simplifying complexity, allowing users to interact with crypto systems through intent rather than manual inputs, with AI serving as an intermediary between people and protocols. However, if AI infrastructure remains under the control of a few large tech firms, it could pose significant risks. Lubin emphasized the importance of decentralized systems and cryptography in ensuring accountability and enabling transparent, verifiable environments where machines can 'check on one another.' The evolution of products like MetaMask, a Consensys product, reflects this broader shift. Lubin described MetaMask as being rebuilt 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 manage assets, execute transactions, and navigate a growing decentralized economy on behalf of users. The rise of 'corporate chains' on Ethereum, where companies seek higher throughput and greater control over their infrastructure, is another significant trend. Lubin believes assets are best issued on Ethereum's base layer to ensure durability. Stablecoins, while part of the transition toward more decentralized financial systems, are seen as a 'stepping stone' rather than the endpoint. 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 to create a more granular and programmable global economy. Lubin also addressed longer-term technical risks like quantum computing, stating that while it's not an immediate concern, Ethereum developers have been preparing for years and see it as part of the natural evolution of Ethereum.