James Richardson
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has revealed plans for significant leadership changes within the Ethereum Foundation (EF), the nonprofit organization based in Switzerland that supports the Ethereum network and coordinates its developer community. Despite the restructuring, Buterin emphasized that the EF’s primary mission would remain unchanged.
In a post on X, Buterin detailed the objectives of the leadership overhaul, which include:
- Enhancing the technical expertise of EF leadership.
- Strengthening communication with developers and the broader Ethereum user base.
- Attracting new talent to boost the foundation’s operational efficiency and speed.
- Expanding the EFโs adoption of decentralized and privacy-focused technologies.
However, Buterin rejected calls for the EF to take a more active lobbying role, cautioning that such actions could compromise Ethereumโs status as a globally neutral platform. “Advocacy and lobbying are not the EFโs responsibilities, and this will not change,” Buterin stated. He encouraged those seeking a different approach to create their own organizations.
Buterinโs announcement follows growing criticism of the EFโs leadership and activities from influential members of the Ethereum community. The recent decision by President-elect Donald Trump to launch his official memecoin on Solana instead of Ethereum has intensified scrutiny.
Joseph Lubin Proposes New Leadership Duo
Ethereum co-founder and Consensys CEO Joseph Lubin joined the conversation with suggestions for leadership changes. In an X post, Lubin praised current EF executive director Aya Miyaguchi for steering the foundation onto a โhealthy trajectoryโ but argued that a new leadership model is needed to address the industry’s evolving challenges.
Lubin proposed a co-leadership structure with Danny Ryan, the researcher who spearheaded Ethereumโs transition to proof-of-stake, and Jerome de Tychey, president of Ethereum France.
โHaving Jerome and Danny as co-leaders would inject energy, creativity, and marketing savvy into the EF, qualities essential for Ethereum to maintain its position as the most capable and trusted blockchain ecosystem,โ Lubin wrote.
Jerome de Tychey Calls for Improved Communication and Engagement
In a separate post, de Tychey laid out his vision for the EFโs future, urging the foundation to focus on better communication and bold, straightforward messaging. โEthereumโs strength lies in its adaptability and collaborative spirit. Together, we can shape a stronger future for the ecosystem,โ he stated.
As the EF navigates this period of transition, Buterinโs focus on preserving Ethereumโs neutrality and decentralization remains central. These leadership changes aim to position the EF for long-term success, ensuring it can meet the needs of the Ethereum community while staying true to its foundational principles.
