The Ethereum Foundation (EF) is undergoing a significant leadership transformation, as announced by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin in a January 18 post on X (formerly Twitter). The changes aim to address long-standing community concerns and reinforce Ethereum’s core principles: decentralization, censorship resistance, and privacy.
Key Goals of the Leadership Shake-Up
- Strengthening Developer Support: The EF will focus on providing better resources and tools for decentralized application (dApp) developers.
- Avoiding Political Lobbying: Buterin emphasized that the EF will not engage in political lobbying or ideological shifts, maintaining Ethereum’s role as a “globally neutral platform.”
- Improved Communication: The Foundation aims to enhance transparency and engagement with the Ethereum community.
Community Frustrations and Criticisms
The announcement comes amid growing dissatisfaction with the EF’s communication strategies and its pattern of ETH sales during market rallies. For instance, in 2024, the EF sold 4,566 ETH for $12.9 million, followed by another sale of 100 ETH in January 2025. These transactions, often timed at market peaks, have led to criticism, with some dubbing the EF the “top escape artist.”
Proposed Leadership Changes
Joseph Lubin, Ethereum co-founder and CEO of Consensys, has called for new leadership at the EF. He proposed a dual-leadership model featuring:
- Danny Ryan: A former EF researcher who played a key role in Ethereum’s transition to proof-of-stake (PoS).
- Jerome de Tychey: President of Ethereum France, known for his advocacy of improved communication and community engagement.
Lubin believes this partnership would bring “energy, talent, and creativity” to the EF, aligning it with the needs of the Ethereum ecosystem.
What’s Next for Ethereum?
The leadership overhaul signals a renewed focus on Ethereum’s foundational values and its commitment to remaining a decentralized, community-driven platform. As the EF evolves, the Ethereum community can expect:
- Enhanced support for developers.
- Clearer and more transparent communication.
- A stronger emphasis on decentralization and censorship resistance.
