Hsiao-Wei Wang, co-director of the Ethereum Foundation, announced her immediate departure, marking the latest high-profile exit from the organization. Her departure follows a sabbatical and the February resignation of fellow co-director Tomasz Stańczak, who was replaced by Bastian Aue as interim co-director. Wang said she felt it was the right time to step back after Bastian guided the transition during her break. The exit comes after Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin signaled in May that the Foundation would become leaner and more focused on censorship resistance, privacy, and security. However, the Foundation has seen a wave of departures, including top researcher Dankrad Feist and other veteran members, fueling skepticism about its ability to drive the ecosystem. Feist had called for a new $1 billion ETH-funded organization to "save Ethereum." The Foundation has also faced years of tension and uncertainty, with Buterin acknowledging large changes since early 2025 and new plans regarding layer-2 networks. The EF recently adopted a more transparent treasury policy, aiming to stake around 70,000 ETH ($119 million). ETH prices have fallen nearly 66% from their all-time high.

Key facts

• Hsiao-Wei Wang resigns as Ethereum Foundation co-director effective immediately.
• Part of a leadership turnover trend including co-director Tomasz Stańczak and others.
• Vitalik Buterin earlier signaled a leaner, more focused Foundation.
• Concerns grow over EF's ability to advance the Ethereum ecosystem.

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