Tom Lee, chairman of BitMine Immersion Technologies, dismissed warnings that Ethereum core development could face a funding crisis within nine months, stating there is "zero chance" of such a scenario. The concerns were raised by former Ethereum Foundation contributor Trent Van Epps, who warned of a slow-burning crisis due to the expiration of the Client Incentive Program and the Foundation's plan to reduce treasury spending from 15% to 5% over five years. Van Epps, co-founder of Protocol Guild, estimates core development needs about $30 million annually. Additionally, senior staff departures, including co-executive directors Hsiao-Wei Wang and Tomasz Stańczak, have deepened unease. Lee argues that profit-seeking stakers, not the Foundation, will fund the network, citing BitMine's 5 million ETH holdings. However, skeptics like investor Virtual Bacon point to projects like EOS and Cosmos that stalled after talent exodus. Ethereum traded at $1,725 at the time of writing, up 2% in 24 hours.

Key facts

• Tom Lee sees zero chance of an Ethereum funding crisis.
• Trent Van Epps warns of a slow-burning crisis in 3-9 months.
• Client Incentive Program expired in April; treasury spending to drop.
• Senior staff departures include two co-executive directors in 2026.
• Ethereum traded at $1,725, up 2% in 24 hours.

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