Farcaster Won’t Shut Down After Neynar Acquisition; Merkle Manufactory to Return $180M
Co‑founder Dan Romero says the protocol remains operational after Neynar's purchase; Farcaster reported about 250,000 monthly active users in December [1][3].
Dan Romero, Farcaster co‑founder, addressed rumours about the protocol’s future following its acquisition by Neynar and said the platform is not shutting down; Romero also said Merkle Manufactory plans to return the $180 million it raised to investors [1][4].
Multiple outlets report that Merkle Manufactory intends to return roughly $180 million in venture capital to backers after the takeover, a move confirmed in coverage summarising the post‑acquisition arrangements [2][4].
Romero and reporting note Farcaster had about 250,000 monthly active users in December and more than 100,000 funded wallets; Neynar reportedly plans to steer the protocol toward a more developer‑focused direction under the new ownership [3].
Sources consistently state the protocol will remain operational, Merkle Manufactory will return $180 million to investors, and Neynar intends a developer‑focused approach for Farcaster following the acquisition [1][2][3].
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Citations
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- 1What Happens To Farcaster's 250,000 Users Under New Ownership?Yellow• Jan 23, 2026
- 2Decentralized Social Network Farcaster Developer to Return $180M to InvestorsCryptoNews• Jan 23, 2026
- 3Merkle Manufactory to Return $180M to Venture Backers After Neynar’s Farcaster AcquisitionNFTgators• Jan 23, 2026
- 4Farcaster to return $180M to investors following Neynar takeoverCointelegraph• Jan 23, 2026
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