Blockworks Ends 0xResearch as Eight People Announce Departures

By Elena Vasquez

Blockworks published the final issue of its 0xResearch newsletter on Nov. 6 as eight people associated with the crypto data company announced departures in posts dated Oct. 19 through Nov. 7. The Nov. 6 announcement applied to 0xResearch specifically and did not announce an end to all Blockworks research products.

What does ending one newsletter actually change?

The final issue closes one named publication, not the company’s broader research offering. That distinction limits what the announcement establishes, even as eight departures across research, data, product and advisory functions indicate a change in organizational priorities.

Takeaway: The confirmed closure is one newsletter, not Blockworks’ entire research business.

What do the departures signal?

The departure posts identified eight exits across nearly three weeks. The named people were:

• Nikhil Chat
• Kunal Doshi
• Westie
• Nick Carpinito
• Jake Koch-Gallup
• Silvio Busonero
• AJC
• Sam Schubert

Their work spanned research, data, product and advisory roles. A Nov. 2 financial disclosure listed Koch-Gallup, Doshi, Carpinito, AJC and Schubert under Research, and Busonero under Advisory.

The records do not state why each person departed or whether every exit resulted from the strategy described by employees. The departure sequence nevertheless reaches beyond a single editorial team, which makes it relevant to Blockworks’ research capacity and institutional continuity.

Takeaway: The exits reach multiple functions, but the available record does not establish a common cause.

The departure posts did not present one shared rationale. Westie, who said he had worked across research, data and product, framed product development as “the company’s primary focus this year and beyond.”

Jake Koch-Gallup, who joined Blockworks through its acquisition of Messari, wrote: “it’s sad to see one of the leading crypto research firms shift its focus away from research.”

Sam Schubert offered a more favorable assessment: “I have a lot of confidence in the direction Blockworks is taking and look forward to seeing what the team achieves.” The contrast supports a product pivot, but it does not resolve whether research capacity was reduced or merely refocused.

Takeaway: The accounts document disagreement over priorities, not a quantified reduction in research output.

What does the AI data opening change?

On Nov. 3, Blockworks opened its data to anyone using Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or another Model Context Protocol client. The service allows AI clients to query standardized data behind Blockworks Intel and the company’s research, connect to its dataset catalog and build applications.

Users could claim 10,000 credits valued at $100, which expire 30 days after they are claimed. The initial MCP launch in October came with an API subscription, placing broad client access alongside a paid access model.

The announcement provides no usage figures or evidence that the temporary credits will convert into recurring revenue. Broader availability can increase distribution, although it does not by itself prove that AI clients will interpret the data reliably or that customers will pay for access.

Takeaway: AI distribution has broadened, but commercial demand remains unproven in the available record.

How does Messari fit the strategy?

Blockworks announced its acquisition of Messari on June 12 as part of a broader data and artificial-intelligence strategy. Messari covered more than 40,000 assets, and Blockworks positioned its data and API as a platform for investors, issuers and AI agents.

Jason Yanowitz said: “AI will drastically accelerate our vision to build better capital markets.” The statement sets an ambition, not a measurable operating result. The announcement gave no acquisition price, revenue target or timetable for the research portfolio.

Measured against that strategy, ending 0xResearch and opening an AI data interface are separate operational choices. Their timing is consistent with a shift toward product distribution, but timing alone does not establish that one caused the other.

Takeaway: Messari adds asset coverage, while the AI interface remains a new distribution channel without disclosed commercial results.

The next test arrives after each claimed credit package reaches its 30-day expiration: broader AI-client access will need to produce paid demand rather than remain short-lived experimentation. Any useful disclosure should then identify which research products remain and how eight announced departures affect editorial coverage, data licensing and client support.