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

According to Joseph Lubin, CEO of Consensys and co-founder of Ethereum, the next significant milestone for crypto is likely to come from advancements in artificial intelligence. In a recent interview, Lubin noted that autonomous or semi-autonomous agents can perform 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 concentrated among a few large tech firms, it could pose significant risks. Lubin emphasized the importance of decentralized systems and cryptography in ensuring accountability and enabling machines to verify each other in transparent environments. The evolution of products like MetaMask, a Consensys product, reflects this shift. Lubin described the wallet as a new type of neobank that users 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 in a growing decentralized economy. Lubin also pointed to structural changes in the Ethereum ecosystem, including the rise of corporate chains, which are expected 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 noted that stablecoins are a stepping stone toward more fully decentralized financial systems. Regarding tokenization, Lubin suggested that traditional finance and decentralized finance are converging, combining centuries of financial innovation with newer blockchain-based systems. He expects this convergence to result in a more granular and programmable global economy. Despite these advancements, Lubin adopted a measured tone when discussing long-term technical risks like quantum computing, stating that Ethereum developers have been preparing for years and view it as part of the natural evolution of Ethereum.