Ethereum Power Struggle: Buterin vs The Community Voice

Key Points

• An informal Ethereum poll showed 97% support for Danny Ryan as the next Ethereum Foundation leader.
• Vitalik Buterin intends to be the sole decision-maker for EF leadership changes until a formal board is established.

In an unofficial Ethereum poll, a staggering 97% of voters backed Danny Ryan, a prior researcher, to head the Ethereum Foundation (EF).

The voters, who collectively hold over 51,198 ETH valued at roughly $164 million, cast their votes through an unendorsed on-chain poll at votedannyryan.com.

Community Unrest and Leadership Change

This polling is a symptom of wider community dissatisfaction with the leadership of the EF, which is under scrutiny for inefficiencies and lack of clear direction.

The call for change within the Ethereum community has been sparked by several factors, including the market performance of Ethereum lagging behind other leading cryptocurrencies.

There is increasing sentiment that the current leadership, under Aya Miyaguchi since 2018, lacks the necessary vision and technical expertise to propel Ethereum forward in a competitive landscape.

Danny Ryan played a key role in Ethereum’s transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake during “The Merge”.

Ryan’s deep Ethereum knowledge and the respect he commands from both developer and user communities could breathe new life into the foundation.

Buterin’s Stance and Proposed Reforms

In the midst of this push, Vitalik Buterin clarified that until formal governance reforms establish a “proper board,” he alone will decide EF leadership changes.

Buterin stressed that external pressures would not influence leadership decisions.

He is committed to creating an environment that attracts top talent, responding to what he perceives as a toxic atmosphere created by social media pressure.

Buterin recognizes the need for reform and has hinted at discussions about giving the EF a formal board to decentralize decision-making within the foundation.

This proposed change could shift the leadership structure away from a model where one person has significant influence over key decisions.

If these reforms come to fruition, they could lead to a more community-involved leadership selection process, potentially opening the door for figures like Ryan in a more structured capacity.

The community’s overwhelming support for Danny Ryan is evident, but EF leadership changes hinge on Buterin’s decision or a new governance model that better represents the community’s voice.

This is a critical moment for Ethereum, as internal reforms and community sentiment could significantly influence its future direction.