Ethereum Foundation Responds to Criticism with Major Restructure: Staff Let Go, Protocol Team Formed for UX and Scaling

Ethereum Foundation Streamlines Core Team Amid Push for Network Efficiency

The Ethereum Foundation has overhauled its internal development structure, trimming its core research group and redefining its priorities as part of a broader strategy to keep Ethereum technically competitive and aligned with its long-term goals.

In a blog post published on 2 June, the Foundation confirmed that it has dissolved the existing Protocol Research and Development (PR&D) team, rebranding it simply as “Protocol.”

This reshaped division will concentrate on three pressing areas: scaling Ethereum’s base layer (Layer 1), expanding blobspace to support rollup activity, and refining user experience across the network.

Why Ethereum Is Shifting Focus

This move comes at a time when Ethereum’s roadmap is under increasing scrutiny from its community.

Despite technical milestones like the rollout of danksharding and blobspace, some developers have expressed concerns over the pace and coordination of core upgrades.

In its statement, the Foundation acknowledged the complexity of the transition:

“This process of ‘shipping protocol’ is messy, asking us to respond proactively to demands that are hard to articulate and even harder to fulfill.”

The comment reflects internal recognition that the network’s technical challenges are intensifying, and the foundation must be nimble in its responses.

Staff Changes Reflect Leaner Structure

As part of the restructuring, the EF confirmed that “some members of PR&D won’t be continuing with the Ethereum Foundation,” though it did not reveal how many were let go.

The Foundation encouraged other projects in the ecosystem to consider hiring those affected.

The Foundation described the new Protocol division as “a more united and leaner organization with more focused teams,” indicating a move towards tighter coordination and clearer task ownership.

Long-serving Ethereum contributors Tim Beiko, Alex Stokes, and Barnabé Monnot have each been assigned to key areas within the reorganised unit.

Who’s Steering the New Direction?

Hsiao-Wei Wang, now co-executive director of the Ethereum Foundation, voiced optimism about the new setup.

She wrote in a post on X.

“We’re hopeful that this new structure will empower our internal teams to focus more clearly and drive key initiatives forward.”

Wang shares executive responsibilities with Tomasz Stańczak, CEO of Nethermind, following an earlier leadership reshuffle in April.

That transition introduced a dual model separating strategic oversight — led by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and other board members — from operational control handled by the new executive team.

Rebuilding Trust and Transparency

This reorganisation is the latest in a series of internal changes intended to address transparency and leadership concerns within the EF.

In January, Buterin announced a revised leadership framework aimed at boosting technical accountability and improving communication across teams.

The Ethereum Foundation, based in Switzerland, is a key driver behind Ethereum’s protocol development and coordinates efforts among researchers, client teams, and external contributors.

With zk-rollup technology and layer-2 innovations gaining ground, the latest restructuring suggests the EF is betting on sharper internal focus to meet rising expectations from developers and users alike.