Ethereum Foundation Restructures to Enhance Decentralization and Operational Efficiency

The Ethereum Foundation has announced a major internal restructuring aimed at improving decentralization and streamlining operations within its core research division. The Protocol Research & Development unit has been renamed simply “Protocol,” with a narrowed focus on three strategic priorities: scaling Ethereum’s base layer, enhancing Layer 2 blobspace, and refining protocol-level user experience.

According to the Foundation, the restructuring is designed to accelerate innovation and ensure Ethereum remains a competitive backbone for global financial infrastructure. The move is expected to reduce internal friction and align efforts more closely with the network’s long-term mission.

Leadership responsibilities have been redistributed to reflect the new focus areas:

• Tim Beiko and Ansgar Dietrichs will lead Layer 1 scaling efforts.
• Alex Stokes and Francesco D’Amato will oversee blobspace and data availability.
• Barnabé Monnot and Josh Rudolf will head user experience enhancements.

Notably, Dankrad Feist, one of Ethereum’s veteran researchers, will act as a strategic advisor across all three initiatives.

However, the reorganization has come with some cost. At least four engineers were laid off, according to core developer Danno Ferrin. While the Foundation did not provide exact figures, it confirmed the departures in a blog post and encouraged other Ethereum projects to hire the affected contributors, calling them “invaluable” to the ecosystem.

Leadership Reshuffle and Community Feedback Drive Ethereum’s New Direction

The restructuring is also seen as a response to increasing community criticism over Ethereum’s research pace and lack of clear direction. In recent months, key figures in the Ethereum ecosystem have pushed for more decisive leadership and accelerated execution.

Co-executive director Hsiao-Wei Wang said the new structure aims to bring sharper focus and faster delivery on Ethereum’s roadmap. Fellow director Tomasz Stańczak, founder of Nethermind, has joined Wang in leading the foundation after officially assuming the role last month.

Former Executive Director Aya Miyaguchi, who led the Foundation from 2018 to 2024, will now serve as president in a newly created role—marking a transition toward governance continuity and mentorship amid structural evolution.

Tim Beiko emphasized the renewed commitment to Ethereum’s original vision in a post on X:

“The world is ready for the world computer. It’s on us to deliver it.”

In parallel, the Foundation has launched a dedicated security roadmap, further signaling a more organized and accountable approach to Ethereum’s next development phase.

Implications for the Ethereum Community

This restructuring signals a more agile and mission-aligned Ethereum Foundation, with renewed efforts to foster community participation, developer empowerment, and ecosystem-wide collaboration. By decentralizing responsibilities and eliminating operational bottlenecks, the Foundation hopes to deliver a more robust protocol and a more accessible development environment.

Observers expect the changes to spark innovation across the network’s research landscape while reinforcing Ethereum’s position as a leader in decentralized infrastructure.

Quick Facts

• Ethereum Foundation rebranded its research division to “Protocol” with a tighter focus.
• Leadership roles realigned across three pillars: Layer 1 scaling, blobspace, and UX.
• Aya Miyaguchi transitions to president; Wang and Stańczak are new co-executive directors.
• At least four engineers laid off; others encouraged to hire them.
• A security roadmap and governance revamp are also part of the restructuring.