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Key Takeaways:
- Aya Miyaguchi is moving into the role of president of the Ethereum Foundation, focusing on institutional partnerships and enhancing Ethereum’s global influence.
- This leadership shift reflects ongoing attempts to balance decentralization with governance amid community feedback and internal restructuring.
- Vitalik Buterin reaffirms his leadership over the foundation’s direction while addressing concerns regarding transparency, authority, and community expectations.
According to a blog post published on Tuesday, Aya Miyaguchi, the Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation (EF), is stepping into a new role as the organization’s president.
This transition comes in light of increased scrutiny from certain Ethereum community members regarding her leadership and the foundation’s overall direction.
Vitalik Buterin Commends Aya Miyaguchi As She Assumes EF Presidency
Miyaguchi, who has served as EF’s executive director since 2018, stated that the decision had been in progress for a year. In her new capacity, she will focus on institutional relationships and broadening Ethereum’s reach.
“This new opportunity will enable me to continue supporting EF’s institutional relationships and to expand the reach of our vision and culture more broadly,” Miyaguchi expressed.
Today, I’m thrilled to turn the page and announce that I will soon be concluding my chapter as Executive Director of the @ethereumfndn and transitioning into a new role as its President.
Let’s keep building in the garden.
Read my full statement: https://t.co/sn3Rpsatqy https://t.co/4Gz3WdLPLD— Aya Miyaguchi (@AyaMiyagotchi) February 25, 2025
Miyaguchi characterized her transition as part of a broader vision for Ethereum’s governance and sustainability.
In her announcement, she underscored Ethereum’s decentralized nature, stressing that the protocol does not belong to any single entity.
She referenced Stewart Brand’s “Pace Layering” framework to illustrate Ethereum’s need for various layers of growth and adaptability.
I appreciate how distinctive the EF is, which contributes to Ethereum’s uniqueness. I value the builder-friendly environment the EF has fostered. I cherish the community the EF has helped nurture.
In Aya’s 2020 year letter, she introduced the inspiring book Finite and Infinite Games and quoted one of them: “The… https://t.co/LyqD3sovsk— hww.eth | Hsiao-Wei Wang (@hwwonx) February 25, 2025
During her time in office, the Ethereum Foundation has played a role in several significant developments, including Ethereum’s shift to proof-of-stake, support for client diversity, and funding for various research and development initiatives.
Miyaguchi pointed to the foundation’s “subtraction” philosophy, which aims to diminish centralized control while facilitating ecosystem-wide participation.
However, some community members have voiced criticism of her tenure, contending that Ethereum’s scaling solutions have not progressed competitively under her leadership.
The foundation has also faced broader scrutiny regarding its governance and role within the Ethereum ecosystem.
In light of these criticisms, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin acknowledged Miyaguchi’s contributions.
“The role of an ED is to create an environment where others can excel and perform their best work… every success of the EF… is partly a result of Aya’s stewardship,” he stated on X.
Ethereum Foundation Faces Leadership Challenges Amid Community Criticism
The leadership changes at the Ethereum Foundation aim to enhance technical expertise and uphold the network’s core principles following rising tensions within the community regarding governance, transparency, and decision-making.
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On January 18, 2025, Buterin shared his vision to strengthen collaboration with developers while maintaining the foundation’s political neutrality.
However, calls for internal reform intensified after a contentious year in 2024, during which the foundation faced criticism for its spending, personnel policies, and handling of conflicts of interest.
We are indeed currently in the process of significant changes to the EF leadership structure, which has been ongoing for nearly a year. Some of this has already been executed and made public, while some is still in progress.
What we are trying to achieve is primarily the following…— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) January 18, 2025
A major flashpoint occurred in May 2024 when a conflict-of-interest policy was introduced following revelations that researchers, including Justin Drake and Dankrad Feist, had accepted paid advisory roles at EigenLayer. Drake later resigned and apologized, but frustrations regarding leadership persisted.
Amid increasing pressure, Buterin reaffirmed his authority over foundation decisions and rejected demands for Danny Ryan to assume a leadership role.
Some supporters pointed to Ryan’s contributions to Ethereum’s consensus layer upgrade as evidence of his leadership potential.
However, Buterin made it clear that leadership changes are his decision alone, dismissing social media campaigns as unproductive and, at times, harmful.
The discussion took a darker turn as Miyaguchi faced harassment, including death threats. Buterin condemned the toxic behavior, warning that it risked driving away Ethereum’s top talent.
Miyaguchi’s transition to a new role as president indicates further structural changes within the foundation as it seeks to balance community expectations with Ethereum’s long-term development objectives.
With Buterin asserting leadership, the Ethereum Foundation’s future direction remains a topic of discussion for the broader crypto community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the main criticisms against Aya Miyaguchi’s leadership?
Critics contend that Aya Miyaguchi’s leadership lacked competitiveness, faced delays in scaling solutions, and struggled with transparency and governance issues.
How does Aya Miyaguchi plan to address the community’s concerns?
Miyaguchi intends to address concerns by strengthening institutional relationships, promoting Ethereum’s decentralized ethos, and encouraging community-driven initiatives through the subtraction philosophy.
What changes can we expect from Aya Miyaguchi as the new president?
As president, Miyaguchi will prioritize institutional partnerships, expand Ethereum’s cultural reach, and support decentralized governance while stepping back from direct leadership.
How has Vitalik Buterin’s support influenced the community’s perception of Miyaguchi?
Vitalik Buterin’s support has mitigated some criticisms by highlighting Miyaguchi’s contributions to Ethereum’s development and her role in fostering a collaborative environment.
What role does the “subtraction” philosophy play in Ethereum’s future?
The subtraction philosophy ensures Ethereum remains decentralized by minimizing centralized control, distributing opportunities to the community, and prioritizing long-term sustainability.
The post Aya Miyaguchi Becomes President as Ethereum Foundation Reshapes Leadership appeared first on Cryptonews.
