Ethereum Foundation Sets New Policy for Conflict Issues

As an experienced analyst, I believe that the Ethereum Foundation’s proactive approach to addressing potential conflicts of interest is a commendable step towards maintaining transparency and trust within the blockchain community. The revelation of two researchers receiving substantial incentives from an external project raised valid concerns about the foundation’s neutrality, and it is essential for such organizations to ensure that their actions align with ethical standards.


The Ethereum Foundation is quickly formulating an official approach to handle potential conflicts of interest, in response to the disclosure that two of its researchers received significant rewards from the EigenLayer project.

Aya Miyaguchi, the Executive Director, underscored the necessity of upholding the foundation’s impartiality in order to provide optimal support for the ecosystem.

As a crypto investor, I recognize the importance of the Ethereum Foundation maintaining its credible neutrality within our ecosystem. I’m attuned to the ongoing discussions regarding potential conflicts of interest, and I sympathize with the community’s apprehensions. It goes without saying that relying solely on culture and individual judgment may not be sufficient to ensure trust and transparency in this complex space. Instead, we must prioritize clear communication, accountability, and a robust governance framework to mitigate any perceived conflicts and foster a healthy and thriving ecosystem.

— Aya Miyaguchi (ayamiya.eth) (@AyaMiyagotchi) May 24, 2024

After researchers Justin Drake and Dankrad Feist revealed they had received sizeable incentives in the form of EigenLayer tokens, the foundation chose to act upon this disclosure. Drake emphasized the considerable worth of these tokens, which could exceed the value of all his other possessions.

Miyaguchi emphasized once more the foundation’s commitment to being an active member in the blockchain community. She admitted that relying solely on tradition and personal opinion in the past was not enough. The new strategy is designed to establish a structured approach to resolving disputes and strengthen the foundation’s reputation.

Lefteris Karapetsas, a past Ethereum software engineer and creator of the cryptocurrency portfolio tracker Rotki, advocates for the Ethereum Foundation to fairly remunerate its staff members. This way, they will be less inclined to pursue extra compensation from external sources.

As an analyst, I can express this by saying: I am proud to note that this advancement represents a substantial progression towards mitigating community apprehensions and maintaining the integrity of our organization’s moral principles.

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2024-05-24 23:17