Ethereum Foundation Launches “Protocol” Initiative, Restructures Research & Development
Key Strategic Shift Aims to Accelerate Development
The Ethereum Foundation has announced the launch of a new “Protocol” initiative, reorganizing its core research and development teams under this unified brand. The move follows the Pectra Upgrade and aims to revamp how the foundation designs, develops, and manages Ethereum’s protocol.
Strategic Focus Areas
- Catalyzing three core strategic initiatives: scaling the main Layer 1 blockchain, scaling data storage via blobs, and enhancing the overall user experience.
- Streamlining operations, resulting in some team members no longer continuing with the foundation, while talent is encouraged to move to ecosystem projects.
New Leadership
Each strategic initiative will be led by dedicated personnel:
- Layer 1 Scaling: Tim Beiko, Ansgar Dietrichs
- Blob Scaling: Alex Stokes, Francesco D’Amato
- User Experience: Barnabé Monnot, Josh Rudolf
Purpose and Context
“The world is ready for the world computer.”
Critics of the previous “shipping protocol” process highlighted various difficulties, including delays seen in upgrades like Pectra. The foundation contends the new structure provides “the clarity and execution it deserves.” This overhaul aims to bridge the gap between research teams and implementation, enabling faster clearer innovation for the entire ecosystem.
Commentary
Ethereum already powers… Protocol now gives it the clarity and execution it deserves by scaling what works, improving UX, and keeping Ethereum useful for the world.
“Protocol now gives it the clarity and execution it deserves,” noted Binji Pande of Optimism, emphasizing the need for focused priorities on scalability and usability.
Protocol would help give developers… innovate faster and with more confidence.
Joshua Cheong described Protocol as providing developers “clearer signals on where the base layer is headed,” thereby “in enabling us to innovate faster and with more confidence.”
