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The crypto community is beginning to question what exactly is happening inside the 
Ethereum Foundation as a growing wave of high-profile departures raises fresh uncertainty around the nonprofit’s future.
What's the Scoop?
- Latest Departures: Posting to X earlier today, Ethereum Foundation contributors Carl Beek and Julian Ma announced their resignations from the non-profit Ethereum ecosystem development support group. While both declared interest to find work, neither expressed concrete plans for the future.
- Wave of Resignations: Earlier this month, EF Protocol Guild members Tim Beiko and Barnabé Monnot resigned, meanwhile, their colleague Alex Stokes began a sabbatical. The month prior EF "co-steward" Josh Stark and EF Protocol Guild member Trent Van Epps announced their resignations, and in February, Ethereum Foundation co-executive director Tomasz K. Stańczak resigned (less than one year after assuming the EF's top leadership role).
- Unclear Motives: Although the Ethereum Foundation previously undertook organizational reshuffling efforts in 2025 as part of an effort to address community criticism about the organization’s execution, scaling, and support for Ethereum, it remains frighteningly unclear why a growing wave of high-profile contributors – many previously viewed Ethereum's staunchest advocates – continue to depart the organization.
What's happening at the EF?
— Ignas | DeFi (@DefiIgnas) May 18, 2026
At least 5 high profile EF contributors publicly announced their departures within a month. How many not public?
And why?
Stopped believing in Ethereum? Pay is low and competitors paying more? Or just tired?
Would love to know the REAL reasons… pic.twitter.com/hJ6kTYIbgP
