Summary Points
- Vitalik Buterin announces the Ethereum Foundation will become a smaller, more focused organization prioritizing longevity over expansion.
- EF seeks to avoid centralization, controlling just 0.16% of ETH, and emphasizes critical activities to uphold Ethereum’s core values.
- The foundation is shifting towards supporting external initiatives and contributors to enhance Ethereum’s resilience and decentralization.
- Despite internal changes, Ethereum’s long-term goals remain aligned with scaling via Layer 2 solutions and technological innovation.
Ethereum Foundation Is “Not the Center of Ethereum,” Claims Vitalik Buterin
New Role for the Foundation
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, recently explained that the Ethereum Foundation is shifting toward a smaller role. He described it as a “smaller ship” that focuses on long-term sustainability rather than rapid growth. The foundation’s board is expanding, and Buterin said his influence will gradually decrease. He praised President Aya Miyaguchi for leading the transition effort, while Buterin continues to focus on technical issues.
He mentioned that 2025 marked improvements in the foundation’s efficiency and execution. However, Buterin expressed concern about criticism from the community. Some questioned whether the foundation’s actions truly match Ethereum’s core values — decentralization, privacy, and technology that acts as a “sanctuary.”
Buterin noted that the foundation holds only about 0.16% of ETH, compared to some other blockchain organizations holding 10% to 50%. He explained that the foundation was created for early objectives, like the development phases Frontier, Homestead, Metropolis, and Serenity, which completed in 2022. Now, its main goal is to promote longevity by supporting critical activities that ensure Ethereum remains censorship-resistant, open, private, and secure.
Focus on Longevity and Quality
Buterin emphasized that Ethereum should avoid competing solely on speed or scalability. Instead, the network should work toward technical goals like creating a bug-free platform through AI-assisted verification and improving consensus design. Reducing reliance on intermediaries is also a key focus.
He reassured that scaling through Layer 2 networks and other improvements remains compatible with Ethereum’s long-term technical goals. Buterin said that, going forward, the foundation will be “more opinionated,” meaning it will have clearer priorities aimed at making a lasting impact. He added that this approach may be harder to understand but will help Ethereum bring meaningful benefits to the world.
Recent Community Changes
In recent months, several high-profile members, including Tomasz Stańczak, Tim Beiko, Josh Stark, and Barnabé Monnot, left the Ethereum Foundation. These departures led to discussions within the community about possible internal disagreements or instability.
Despite this, investor Ryan Berckmans commented that these exits mainly stem from differences in strategy, leadership changes, and restructuring, rather than a loss of confidence in Ethereum itself.
Overall, Buterin’s statements highlight a shift toward a more focused, sustainable future for Ethereum and its supporting organization.
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