In a striking declaration, Ethereum core developer Eric Conner announced on social media on January 22nd that he has severed ties with the Ethereum ecosystem, stating, “I am no longer ‘.eth’.” Conner’s departure underscores a growing sentiment among community members regarding the Ethereum Foundation’s (EF) perceived lack of transparency and alignment with stakeholders. He elaborated that the Foundation’s operational inefficiencies could have seen up to 80% of its budget effectively reduced, promoting a sustainable growth trajectory for Ethereum.
The crux of Conner’s criticism lies in the Foundation’s inadequate accountability to the Ethereum community, which has reportedly created a chasm between its leadership and users. Conner expressed a heartfelt desire for Ethereum’s long-term success even as he expressed deep concern over the Foundation’s current trajectory, describing it as mired in a “quagmire” of its own making. The prevailing sentiment of an “anti-victory and competitive mindset” is stirring doubts among community members about their future engagement with the Foundation.