On January 22, 2026, Farcaster co-founder Dan Romero announced via X that the protocol will continue operating following Neynar’s acquisition, dispelling shutdown rumors, per Coinlive.me. Romero and Varun Srinivasan stepped down, transferring control of contracts and app development to Neynar, which will focus on developer tools. Farcaster recorded 250,000 monthly active users and over 100,000 funded wallets in December 2025, underscoring its resilience, per Romero’s statement. This transition ensures the decentralized social network remains active, with Neynar committed to sustaining the protocol.
Merkle, Farcaster’s parent entity, will refund $180 million to investors, reflecting responsible capital management amid the shift, per. The acquisition allows Neynar to pivot toward developer-focused infrastructure, potentially altering funding models in decentralized social protocols. X posts from @danromero highlight the protocol’s independence, noting it “works and will continue to work,” per. While Bitcoin ($113,234) and Ethereum ($4,070) remain stable, per CoinMarketCap, Farcaster’s user metrics signal sustained engagement despite leadership changes.
Farcaster’s 250,000 MAU in December 2025, coupled with 100,000+ funded wallets, positions it as a leading decentralized social network, per. Neynar’s acquisition preserves core operations, including Frames and Channels, while shifting emphasis to developer tools, per. This aligns with Web3 trends favoring open protocols over centralized apps, per. Neynar’s expertise in Farcaster client development ensures continuity, with potential for enhanced on-chain interactions and wallet integration.
Neynar’s stewardship could accelerate Farcaster’s growth, targeting 500,000 MAU by 2026 through improved developer onboarding, per analyst projections. Investors should monitor Neynar updates via @neynar on X and track on-chain activity on Dune Analytics. The $180M refund reinforces trust, while Farcaster’s open-source nature safeguards against centralization risks, per. With Ethereum ($4,070) powering much of Web3 social, Farcaster remains a key player, per. Regulatory clarity from the SEC’s Paul Atkins era could further boost adoption.
