The Ethereum Foundation is restructuring: layoffs affect 20% of the team
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has completed a large-scale reorganization that lasted several months. The key goal of the changes was the implementation of an updated Mandate and Treasury Management Policy. As a result, the foundation has transitioned to a new structure comprising five working clusters: Protocol Layer, Access Layer, User Layer, Community Layer, and Institutional Layer. Additionally, operational and management support blocks have been allocated.
As part of these changes, the EF parted ways with 54 employees — approximately 20% of the total team. The foundation offered the laid-off specialists severance pay: at least one month's salary for each year of service or the local statutory minimum. Furthermore, assistance in finding a new role within the Ethereum ecosystem and a small grant for related expenses are provided.
From my perspective, such steps are not merely cost-cutting but a strategic restructuring. The Ethereum Foundation is clearly betting on a more flexible and modular organization, where clusters can respond more quickly to market challenges and technological changes. However, the loss of 20% of staff may temporarily slow down some initiatives, particularly in development and community areas. In the long term, this will likely improve efficiency but will require additional coordination from the ecosystem.