ConsenSys’s Andrew Keys talks about the company’s recent pivot, called “ConsenSys 2.0,” toward greater efficiency, accountability and focus on revenue, why it laid off about 150 people, and what areas it plans to generate revenue from. He explains what the company’s mission and goals were in ConsenSys 1.0, how its new priorities will resemble those of more traditional companies, and whether it will retain its flat, unhierarchical structure. Plus, he reveals that the company has “years” of runway left, even as it toys with taking on outside investment.

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Episode links:

ConsenSys: https://consensys.net

Jeff Kauflin’s article about ConsenSys: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkauflin/2018/12/05/cryptopia-in-crisis-billionaire-joe-lubins-ethereum-experiment-is-a-mess-how-long-will-he-prop-it-up/

Unconfirmed episode about ConsenSys with Jeff: http://unconfirmed.libsyn.com/how-consensys-got-so-big-but-accomplished-so-little-ep049

Joe Lubin’s letter to ConsenSys staff about the 2.0 pivot: https://breakermag.com/exclusive-consensys-letter-to-staff-details-major-strategy-shift/

CoinDesk article about restructuring: https://www.coindesk.com/lubin-wont-rule-out-layoffs-amid-refocusing-at-consensys

13% of staff cut at ConsenSys: https://www.coindesk.com/consensys-confirms-layoffs-projecting-13-of-staff-at-startups-to-be-cut

Town Hall questions: https://www.coindesk.com/consensys-town-hall-shows-staff-shaken-at-ethereums-largest-startup

WSJ article about layoffs: https://www.coindesk.com/lubin-wont-rule-out-layoffs-amid-refocusing-at-consensys