MetaMask becomes a standalone company after Consensys split
Consensys is splitting off MetaMask as a separate company under Joe Lubin. What changes for wallet users, and what doesn't? Source: The Block/Cointribune, 9-10 September 2026.
MetaMask is becoming a standalone company. Consensys has been splitting into two parts since 9 September 2026: MetaMask, led by founder Joe Lubin, continues as a consumer business built around the self-custodial wallet; a new Consensys, under Mike Kriak and David Cunningham, keeps building institutional Ethereum infrastructure (the Linea and Besu networks, the Teku client). The full separation is expected to be complete by the end of 2026. Nothing changes today for your wallet, your balance, or your seed phrase.
What exactly is changing
Consensys Software Inc. is splitting into two independent companies. MetaMask becomes the consumer-facing business: the self-custodial wallet, payment products and savings features. Joe Lubin becomes chairman and CEO there. Consensys continues as a separate company for institutional clients and Ethereum infrastructure — the Linea network, the Besu and Teku clients — led by Mike Kriak (CEO) and David Cunningham (president); Lubin stays on there as board chairman.
The reason the company itself gives: 'These two markets now have different needs. Self-custody of digital assets has become widespread, while banks are gradually moving from pilot projects to real deployments.' In other words: a consumer wallet for individuals and an infrastructure business for banks and institutions are two different businesses with different customers, and Consensys is now treating them that way.
What this means for MetaMask users
Your wallet and your balance
Both sources for this article agree on this point: users keep their own keys and funds in the app, and no forced changes have been announced. The split is a change to corporate structure, not to the wallet software you use.
What MetaMask is adding
Separately from the split, MetaMask is expanding with a payment card (in partnership with Mastercard), a so-called Money Account with an announced yield of up to 4% on mUSD, and trading features within the app. Those are products from MetaMask itself, not from the new Consensys.
What's still unknown
No IPO has been announced and no MASK token has been confirmed. On a possible IPO, 'the company stayed quiet', Fortune reports (via The Block); Lubin previously confirmed a MASK token, but without a timeline. Take rumours of a token or an IPO date with a grain of salt until MetaMask itself confirms something.
What this means if you take self-custody seriously
Even after the split, MetaMask remains a software wallet: your keys sit on a device connected to the internet. That's exactly where a hardware wallet differs — the keys stay offline there, independent of any app or corporate split. Those who take crypto self-custody seriously often use a combination: MetaMask (or a similar software wallet) for daily use, a hardware wallet for the bulk of their holdings. Compare the best hardware wallets of 2026 yourself, or check out our Ledger offer — an affiliate link for which we may earn a commission if you buy through it, which changes nothing about the price you pay. Recent leaks at other hardware wallets, such as the one we covered in Coldcard leak: 594 bitcoin from 500 wallets in 25 minutes, show that no solution is without risk — but an offline key remains the strongest foundation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to do anything with my MetaMask wallet after the split?
No. Both sources confirm that users simply keep their keys and funds in the app; no forced changes have been announced.
Is a MetaMask token coming?
Not confirmed on any date. Lubin has mentioned a MASK token in the past, but Consensys gave no details on timing when announcing the split.
Is my MetaMask wallet safer or less safe after the split?
Neither, at least not directly: the split changes the corporate structure behind it, not the way the wallet manages your keys. Anyone wanting extra security combines a software wallet with an offline hardware wallet.
Sources
- The Block, 'Consensys splits MetaMask from institutional and Ethereum infrastructure businesses', https://www.theblock.co/news/business/2026-09-09-consensys-splits-metamask-institutional-ethereum-infrastructure-businesses-414022, last checked 11 September 2026.
- Cointribune, 'Consensys splits in two as Joe Lubin takes the helm of a standalone MetaMask', https://www.cointribune.com/en/consensys-splits-in-two-as-joe-lubin-takes-the-helm-of-a-standalone-metamask, last checked 11 September 2026.