A movement within the Ethereum community is gaining traction, calling for former Ethereum Foundation (EF) researcher Danny Ryan to be appointed as the organization’s executive director. In an unofficial vote, 99% of participants, collectively controlling over 50,000 ETH, supported Ryan’s candidacy.
A Vote Without Legal Power but With Influence
The vote is being conducted through an approval-based system where users can express their stance using Ethereum wallets, without requiring gas fees. The campaign was initiated by developer Fabrice Cheng, who emphasized that the vote’s primary purpose is to allow the community to voice its opinion.
Although the poll holds no legal authority, it reflects the sentiment within the community. Ethereum co-founder and Consensys CEO Joseph Lubin has already voiced his support, suggesting that Ryan should co-lead EF alongside Ethereum France president Jerome de Tychey.
Who Is Danny Ryan
Ryan has played a crucial role in Ethereum’s development, leading key initiatives such as Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake (The Merge) and sharding. He is widely regarded as one of the architects behind Ethereum’s current technical direction.
Given the growing dissatisfaction with EF's leadership, supporters argue that Ryan possesses the strategic vision needed for the ecosystem’s continued growth.
Ethereum Foundation’s Internal Crisis
The push for leadership change comes amid rising frustration with the Ethereum Foundation's transparency and governance. Some community members have proposed establishing an alternative fund, "Second Foundation," to take over some of EF’s responsibilities. However, this idea remains at a discussion stage without any concrete actions.
Concerns revolve around Ethereum Foundation's spending transparency. Despite holding $800 million in assets, the organization has spent $240 million over the past two years, yet the impact of these investments remains unclear.
EF executive director Aya Miyaguchi has been criticized for weak leadership, while the foundation continues to sell ETH to cover expenses, raising concerns among token holders.
Vitalik Buterin Retains Control
Despite community pressure, the final decision on EF’s leadership rests with Vitalik Buterin. He stated that EF’s governance structure will remain unchanged for now, meaning that any leadership appointment is his call.
Ryan confirmed that he is in discussions with Buterin and other foundation members, but there is no official confirmation regarding a leadership change yet.
Meanwhile, Ethereum’s price continues to decline against Bitcoin, and competition from Solana and other blockchains is intensifying. The Ethereum community is demanding more transparency and stronger leadership, but no significant changes at the Ethereum Foundation have been made so far.
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