The Ethereum Foundation is undergoing a major restructuring: a 20% staff reduction and a shift to a cluster-based management model.
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has completed a multi-month reorganization process, introducing a new treasury and operational management system. This step is part of the implementation of the Treasury Mandate and Management Policy, aimed at improving the foundation's efficiency in a rapidly changing crypto market.
The key change is the formation of five working clusters: Protocol Layer, Access Layer, User Layer, Community Layer, and Institutional Layer. Each will be responsible for a specific aspect of the Ethereum ecosystem's development — from the protocol level to interaction with institutional investors. Additionally, operational and management support blocks have been allocated, which should simplify decision-making and accelerate innovation implementation.
However, the most resonant news was the workforce reduction: the foundation parted ways with 54 employees, approximately 20% of the team. For those laid off, the EF prepared a severance package including at least one month's salary for each year of service or the local mandatory minimum, as well as assistance in finding a new role within the ecosystem and a small grant for related expenses.
This decision underscores the trend toward optimization in major crypto organizations, which are forced to adapt to new market realities. The Ethereum Foundation, long considered a benchmark for decentralized governance, is now betting on narrower specialization and a clear division of responsibilities among clusters.
Expert opinion: This restructuring is a logical step for a mature ecosystem transitioning from a phase of rapid growth to a stage of sustainable development. A 20% workforce reduction may seem harsh, but it reflects the need to shed redundant functions and focus on key areas. The market will likely perceive this as a signal of increased efficiency, which in the long term will strengthen Ethereum's position among competitors.