Ethereum Foundation Cuts 20% of Staff in Organizational Overhaul

The Ethereum Foundation has cut about 20% of its workforce as part of an organizational overhaul.

In a blog post published June 23, the foundation said the reduction is part of its "Lean Ethereum" strategy to remake itself into a more efficient protocol stewardship organization and aligns with its 2026 operating plan.

The foundation will reorganize around five core divisions — Protocol, Access, User, Community and Institutional — alongside operations and management support teams. Rather than leading development directly, it said it will focus on supporting the Ethereum protocol and the broader ecosystem.

The layoffs follow last year's restructuring of the foundation's Protocol Research & Development, or PR&D, organization. At that time, it cut headcount from more than 110 employees to fewer than 100. Additional layoffs and the departure of key researchers followed.

The foundation also outlined support measures for departing employees. Those leaving will receive up to several months of salary and severance pay based on tenure, along with a support package that includes career coaching and job placement assistance, it wrote.