Ethereum Co-Founder Joseph Lubin Sounds Alarm on 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, Lubin explained that autonomous and semi-autonomous agents can conduct transactions, coordinate, and verify each other on decentralized networks, utilizing crypto infrastructure 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 does not envision humans being replaced. Instead, he believes that increasingly intelligent interfaces 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, if AI infrastructure remains under the control of a few large tech firms, it could pose significant risks. Lubin warned that decentralized systems and cryptography will be crucial in ensuring accountability and enabling machines to 'check on one another' in transparent environments. The evolution of products like MetaMask reflects this shift, with the wallet 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 act on behalf of users, managing assets and executing transactions within a growing decentralized economy. Lubin also discussed the rise of corporate chains on Ethereum, expecting them to become more common as companies seek higher throughput and greater control over their infrastructure. While he believes that assets are best issued on Ethereum's base layer, he acknowledged that stablecoins are a 'stepping stone' toward more fully decentralized financial systems. On tokenization, Lubin 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. When asked about the risks of quantum computing, Lubin adopted a measured tone, stating that Ethereum developers have been preparing for this eventuality for years and view it as part of the natural evolution of Ethereum.