Ethereum Foundation Reduces Staff by 20% as Leaders Depart
June 24, 2026
The Ethereum Foundation recently underwent significant changes, including cutting 20% of its staff, resulting in the elimination of 54 positions. The reduction in the workforce was part of a long-term restructuring linked to the Foundation’s updated mandate and treasury strategy. The cutbacks were outlined in a blog post and are seen as a way to align the organization’s structure with its priority development work.
This move comes amidst a period of leadership turnover within the Ethereum Foundation. Co-executive director Hsiao-Wei Wang recently stepped down, following the departure of co-executive director Tomasz Stańczak. Board member Bastian Aue is now playing a larger role in overseeing the transition and day-to-day operations.
Over the past six months, nine senior figures have left or transitioned out of the Ethereum Foundation, sparking broader discussions about the organization’s governance structure. This comes as Ethereum faces competition from other blockchain ecosystems for developers and institutional adoption. Similar executive turnover has been observed across various blockchain-related companies, as reported by Reuters.
While the Ethereum Foundation is downsizing its staff, the broader ecosystem surrounding Ethereum remains active. Publicly traded companies like BitMine Immersion Technologies and SharpLink Gaming, along with Ethereum co-founder Joseph Lubin, have expressed support for ETHLabs. This new non-profit research and development initiative aims to accelerate Ethereum’s technical roadmap and institutional adoption.
ETHLabs is part of a broader trend of increased institutional participation in digital asset infrastructure, as noted by Bloomberg. In response to the restructuring, the Ethereum Foundation has reorganized its operations into five work clusters, including a dedicated institutional layer focusing on enterprise engagement, financial infrastructure, and policy coordination.
Institutional partnerships and regulatory-aligned infrastructure development are increasingly becoming priorities for blockchain organizations, as highlighted by CNBC. Despite these changes, a representative for the Ethereum Foundation declined to comment on the recent staff reductions.
The Ethereum Foundation’s reorganization and staff cuts are part of a broader effort to streamline operations and focus on critical tasks essential for Ethereum’s long-term development. As the crypto industry evolves, organizations like the Ethereum Foundation are adjusting their strategies to remain competitive and responsive to market demands.
