Consensys Software Inc. announced the split into two independent companies on September 9. The consumer wallet MetaMask, used by tens of millions of people, becomes a separate entity. The restructured Consensys will focus on institutional blockchain infrastructure, with the zkEVM Layer 2 network Linea at its core.
Joe Lubin, Ethereum co-founder, will serve as Executive Chairman of MetaMask. The new Consensys will be led by CEO Mike Kriak and President David Cunningham.
Linea, launched in July 2023, operates as a zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine rollup. In January 2026, it integrated Phylax's Credible Layer to enhance security. The project has also open-sourced its technology stack to allow external auditing and development.
The network is being used by major banks for blockchain-based messaging infrastructure tests related to SWIFT, which connects over 11,000 financial institutions globally. Additionally, institutional yield strategies have deployed hundreds of millions in ETH on Linea.
Linea's EVM equivalence ensures that Ethereum smart contracts and tools work natively without modification. The LINEA token includes governance mechanisms and ecosystem allocation features for institutional participants.