The Ethereum Foundation has officially confirmed a wave of layoffs as part of a broader strategic restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing the network’s scalability and user experience.
Focused Reorganization Efforts
In a blog post published Monday, the Foundation revealed it has rebranded its Protocol Research and Development (PR&D) division under a streamlined name: simply “Protocol.” The team will now concentrate on three critical areas — scaling Ethereum’s base layer, expanding blob space, and improving overall user experience.
“This also means some members of PR&D won’t be continuing with the Ethereum Foundation,” the statement noted. While the foundation didn’t disclose individual names, it expressed hope that those affected would remain active contributors in the Ethereum ecosystem.
New Structure and Leadership
The reshaped Protocol team will act as the core of Ethereum’s technical development, with a renewed focus on transparency, documentation, and upgrade coordination. Defined leadership roles have been introduced to increase accountability and accelerate progress across key areas:
- Layer 1 scaling: Tim Beiko and Ansgar Dietrichs
- Layer 2 scaling: Alex Stokes and Francesco D’Amato
- User experience: Barnabé Monnot and Josh Rudolf
- Strategic advisor: Dankrad Feist, supporting all three pillars
“We’re hopeful that this new structure will empower our internal teams to focus more clearly and drive key initiatives forward,” said Co-Executive Director Hsiao-Wei Weng on X.
Responding to Community Pressure
The strategic restructuring follows increasing pressure from the Ethereum community over unresolved issues related to scalability, transaction throughput, and developer engagement. Critics have long argued that internal inefficiencies were hindering Ethereum’s ability to maintain its edge in the evolving blockchain space.
In response, the Foundation recently installed new leadership. In March, Hsiao-Wei Weng and Tomasz K. Stańczak were appointed as co-executive directors, a move designed to better balance operational and technical priorities.
The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to decentralization, stating it will not replace external contributors but aims to uphold high standards and invite stronger community collaboration through new governance forums and feedback channels.
