Consensys splits into two companies, focusing restructured entity on institutional blockchain

Consensys Software Inc. announced on September 9 that it’s cleaving itself into two independent companies: MetaMask, the consumer wallet used by tens of millions, and a restructured Consensys entity laser-focused on institutional blockchain infrastructure. At the heart of the new Consensys sits Linea, the zkEVM Layer 2 network that’s been quietly building credibility since its mainnet launch in July 2023. Who’s running what Joe Lubin, the Ethereum co-founder who built Consensys into one of the most influential companies in the blockchain ecosystem, will serve as Executive Chairman of MetaMask. The institutional side gets fresh leadership: Mike Kriak steps in as CEO of the new Consensys, with David Cunningham taking the President role. Linea’s quiet institutional momentum Linea operates as a zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine rollup, which in practical terms means it processes transactions off Ethereum’s main chain while inheriting its security guarantees. The “zk” part refers to zero-knowledge proofs, a cryptographic technique that lets the network verify transaction validity without exposing underlying data. In January 2026, Linea integrated Phylax’s Credible Layer, adding an...