Simply put
- The Ethereum Foundation is restructuring its Protocol R&D team under a new initiative called “Protocol.”
- This new focus will emphasize three key strategic areas: scaling layer 1, enhancing blob storage, and improving user experience.
- Some team members will not be continuing with the foundation as it streamlines its operations.
Recently, after the Pectra upgrade, the Ethereum Foundation feels that its platform is nearing a significant breakthrough, attracting more interest as both a technology and an ecosystem.
However, if those at the helm are tied up in what they refer to as a messy process of shipping protocols, these interests could be jeopardized.
“We need to rethink our current methods for designing, developing, and managing protocols,” stated the foundation. On Monday, they plan to announce changes to their protocol research and development team.
This shift aims to consolidate development efforts under the new “protocol” branch, which is designed to be more responsive. Yet, as they put it, achieving these goals may prove challenging.
According to Binji Pande, growth lead at Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solutions, “Ethereum holds a significant share in the internet capital market, with secure assets worth $200 billion. The protocol needs clarity and implementation, enhancing what works, improving the user experience, and making Ethereum beneficial to the world.”
The reorganization will split the team into three initiatives. These include main blockchain scaling (layer 1), blob scaling for data, and enhancements for user experience.
Each initiative will have dedicated leadership. Tim Baiko and Ansgarditrich will handle L1 Scaling, while Alex Stokes and Francesco Damato will lead Blob Scaling. Barnabé Monnot and Josh Rudolf are tasked with improving User Experience.
Yet, not everyone will be part of the streamlined team. Some members have decided not to stay with the Ethereum Foundation but encourage recruiting passionate individuals for the ecosystem.
The Ethereum Foundation has been contacted for further insights.
Strategic Roles
All three teams will benefit from the expertise of Dankrad Feist, a recognized researcher and cryptographer known for his work on “Danksharding,” a blockchain optimization process named after him. Feist will serve as a strategic advisor across all initiatives.
Previously, he was involved in a conflict of interest when he and core developer Justin Drake were granted tokens for their advisory role with Eigenlayer, a protocol shaping Ethereum.
“It’s obvious that relying solely on culture and personal judgment isn’t sufficient; we are developing formal policies to address this,” stated the executive director at the time.
Regardless, the Ethereum Foundation’s restructuring efforts aim to close the gap between research and implementation.
Prior upgrades, like Pectra, encountered various challenges. Earlier this year, a testnet failure delayed its rollout, compelling developers to act swiftly to address a bug.
Now, through these new protocols, the foundation is striving to demonstrate that “the world is ready for the world’s computers.”
