Ethereum Foundation Cuts 20% of Staff in Major Restructuring
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has laid off 54 employees, approximately 20% of its workforce, as part of a comprehensive restructuring aimed at becoming "leaner and more focused." The reorganization follows the publication of its "Mandate" in March and the implementation of a new treasury policy. The EF will now operate through five core clusters: protocol layer, access layer, user layer, community layer, and institutional layer, plus two clusters for operations and management. The cuts come amid a series of leadership departures, including co-director Hsiao-Wei Wang's exit last week, following similar exits by former co-director Tomasz Stanczak in February and researcher Dankrad Feist last year. Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin acknowledged the loss but expressed confidence in Ethereum's future. The restructuring coincides with the launch of Ethlabs, a new non-profit R&D organization founded by former EF researchers and backed by treasury firms like BitMine and Sharplink, focusing on institutional connectivity.
Key facts
- Ethereum Foundation lays off 54 employees, 20% of staff.
- Restructuring follows March 'Mandate' and new treasury policy.
- Operations split into five core clusters plus two support clusters.
- Leadership exits include co-director Hsiao-Wei Wang and others.
- Ethlabs, a new non-profit, launched by former EF researchers.