The Ethereum Foundation is restructuring: 20% of employees have been laid off.
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has completed a large-scale internal reorganization that lasted several months. The changes are part of the implementation of a new Mandate and Treasury Management Policy. As a result of the restructuring, the staff was reduced by 54 people — approximately 20% of the total team size.
The new organizational structure of the EF now includes five key working clusters: Protocol Layer, Access Layer, User Layer, Community Layer, and Institutional Layer. Additionally, operational activity and management support blocks have been allocated. In my assessment, this division aims to improve coordination efficiency among the various development directions of the Ethereum ecosystem.
For laid-off employees, the foundation has provided severance pay. It amounts to at least one month's salary for each year worked at the organization or the local statutory minimum — whichever is greater. Additionally, the EF offers assistance in finding a new position within the Ethereum ecosystem and provides a small grant for related expenses.
Analytical Commentary: A 20% staff reduction is a serious signal of a shift in priorities for foundation management. The Ethereum Foundation has traditionally been considered one of the most stable organizations in the crypto industry, and such measures indicate a desire to optimize operational costs and focus on the most critical areas for network development. In the current market conditions, where every dollar in the treasury counts, this restructuring seems justified, but it will inevitably raise questions about the EF's long-term strategy.