Leadership Shakeup at Ethereum Foundation: Aya Miyaguchi Transitions Amid Criticism

The Ethereum Foundation is undergoing significant leadership changes as Aya Miyaguchi steps down from her role as Executive Director to become the new President. This transition comes amid growing criticism regarding the foundation's effectiveness and its perceived disconnect from the Ethereum community.

Key Takeaways

• Aya Miyaguchi will transition from Executive Director to President of the Ethereum Foundation.

• The leadership change is a response to criticism about the foundation's engagement with the Ethereum community.

• Ethereum has faced challenges in maintaining its popularity compared to rival blockchains like Solana.

Leadership Transition

Aya Miyaguchi announced her new role in a blog post, expressing gratitude for her time as Executive Director since 2018. She emphasized her commitment to supporting the foundation's institutional partnerships and expanding its vision. This change comes as the Ethereum ecosystem has seen a decline in new builders, with some attributing this to Miyaguchi's leadership.

Miyaguchi stated, "This new opportunity will allow me to continue supporting EF’s institutional relationships, and to expand the reach of our vision and culture more broadly."

Community Criticism

The Ethereum Foundation has faced mounting criticism for its perceived lack of engagement with the community. Recent decisions, such as the sale of 200 ETH, have sparked outrage among users who feel the foundation is out of touch with the needs of developers and stakeholders. Critics argue that these sales erode trust and should instead be directed towards funding development or staking initiatives.

In response to these concerns, the foundation is actively seeking a social media manager to enhance its communication and outreach efforts. This role aims to bridge the gap between the foundation and the community, ensuring that updates and initiatives are effectively communicated.

Market Performance

Ethereum's market performance has also been a point of concern. As of late February 2025, ETH was trading around $2,300, significantly lower than its all-time high of $4,878.26. This decline has led to speculation about the foundation's ability to maintain its competitive edge against other cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin and Solana, which have recently reached new all-time highs.

Future Outlook

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has publicly supported Miyaguchi, acknowledging her contributions to the foundation. He hinted at upcoming changes in the leadership structure, suggesting that the foundation is committed to evolving in response to community feedback.

Miyaguchi's transition to the presidency marks a pivotal moment for the Ethereum Foundation as it seeks to address criticism and strengthen its relationship with the community. The foundation's focus on credible neutrality and decentralization remains a core principle as it navigates these changes, aiming for long-term sustainability and growth in the Ethereum ecosystem.

Sources

• Ethereum Foundation’s Aya Miyaguchi Leaving Executive Director Role, CoinDesk.

• Top 3 Price Prediction Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple: BTC, ETH and XRP momentum indicators show bearish signs, FXStreet.

• Ethereum Foundation seeks social media manager amid criticism, Crypto News.

• Ethereum Foundation Reveals Leadership Shakeup Following Criticism - Decrypt, Decrypt.