Ethereum Foundation Overhauls Development Team to Focus on Scaling

The Ethereum Foundation, the backbone of the Ethereum blockchain, begins internal restructuring as it lays off within its Protocol Research & Development (PR&D) team and rebrands to “Protocol.” 

The development, as laid out in an official blog post on June 2, 2025, is to improve Ethereum’s scalability and user experience and adapt to the fast-increasing needs of the blockchain.

Ethereum Foundation Trims Staff As It Restructures

The Foundation confirmed layoffs affecting an unspecified number of PR&D team members, calling on them to continue making their contribution to the Ethereum network.

While no figures are revealed, the Ethereum Foundation explained that the restructuring is all part of an overall plan to streamline operations. This follows leadership changes in 2025, including the April appointment of Hsiao-Wei Wang and Tomasz Stańczak as co-executive directors, a potential shift in technical expertise and operational efficiency.

The Ethereum Foundation encouraged other teams to hire departing staff, with the intention to retain talent within the ecosystem, although whether it will ultimately contribute to developer morale is to be observed.

Ethereum’s New Vision for Blockchain Growth  

The PR&D team’s rebranding to “Protocol” represents a new framework for Ethereum’s core development. 

Led by Tim Beiko, Alex Stokes, and Barnabé Monnot, the team will prioritize three objectives: scaling Ethereum’s base layer (L1), expanding blobspace for rollups, and improving user experience (UX), as stated in the Ethereum Foundation’s blog. 

The rebrand also seeks to improve transparency through better upgrade schedules, technical documentation, and research access.

The restructuring is in line with Ethereum’s vision of becoming “civilization-scale infrastructure.” The emphasis on scaling L1 and L2 shows the rising importance of rollups and zkEVMs in addressing Ethereum’s scalability problem. 

By improving public visibility of the Foundation’s activity, it aims to address recent community controversies and criticism as it rebuilds trust and regains confidence.

What’s Next for Ethereum? Community Weighs In on Changes  

The restructuring has sparked mixed reactions within the Ethereum community. Some members are optimistic about the rebranding, while others are concerned about losing experienced developers during a critical growth phase. 

Moving forward, the restructuring positions Ethereum to address competitive pressures in the blockchain sector. The success relies on effective execution and sustained community support, especially as the Ethereum Foundation addresses criticisms around transaction costs and scalability. 

While the Protocol team’s goals show signs of ambition, navigating community dynamics will be key for Ethereum’s long-term trajectory.