The Ethereum Foundation is steering its resources toward tackling user accessibility and core network scalability, signalling a pivotal shift in its development roadmap. Following a leadership reshuffle in March, the nonprofit aims to streamline Ethereum’s ecosystem while empowering co-founder Vitalik Buterin to drive groundbreaking research.
Leadership Reshuffle
In March 2025, the Ethereum Foundation appointed Tomasz Stanczak, Nethermind CEO, and researcher Hsiao-Wei Wang as co-executive directors. This restructuring freed Buterin from daily operations, enabling him to focus on long-term solutions. “Vitalik’s insights spark breakthroughs,” Stanczak noted on X, emphasising Buterin’s role in realigning community values.
Furthermore, the Foundation is channelling efforts into immediate upgrades like the Pectra and Fusaka protocols. Buterin’s recent proposals on privacy and speed aim to address long-standing criticisms of Ethereum’s complexity and costs.
Buterin Proposes Privacy-First Transactions by Default
On April 11, Buterin unveiled a roadmap to anonymise Ethereum transactions, urging features like stealth addresses and zero-knowledge proofs to be “turned on by default.” This push for privacy seeks to shield users from surveillance and simplify secure interactions.
Subsequently, on April 20, he proposed revamping Ethereum’s coding language to boost execution speeds. “These ideas aren’t mandates but conversation starters,” Stanczak clarified, stressing community collaboration in refining or rejecting proposals.
Near-Term Upgrades Target Speed and Accessibility
The Foundation now prioritises “near-term” goals, including Layer-1 scaling to reduce reliance on external solutions like rollups. Stanczak highlighted upgrades such as Pectra, which enhances wallet interoperability, and Fusaka, designed to optimise transaction throughput.
However, testnet hurdles delayed Pectra’s rollout, prompting a third testnet, Hoodi, in March. Developers aim for a mainnet launch by May, hoping to lower fees and simplify dApp interactions. Additionally, plans to integrate RISC-V architecture could modernise Ethereum’s infrastructure for future scalability.
Balancing Layer-1 and Layer-2 Solutions Sparks Debate
While strengthening Ethereum’s base layer, the Foundation faces pressure to support Layer-2 networks like Arbitrum and Optimism. Critics argue over-reliance on L2s drains revenue from Ethereum’s main chain, exacerbating its price slump.
Polygon’s Sandeep Nailwal warned against sidelining L2s, calling them vital to Ethereum’s growth. Conversely, Stanczak affirmed a dual approach: “We’re enhancing Layer-1 while backing Layer-2 ecosystems,” aiming to balance speed and decentralisation.
Market Pressures Mount as ETH Struggles
Ether’s price plummeted 45% post-2024’s Dencun upgrade, which slashed Layer-1 fees but diverted activity to L2s. Trading at $1,626 in April 2025, ETH lags behind rivals like Solana, whose high-speed blockchain lures developers.
Community frustration over delays and rising competition pushed the Foundation to act. “Ethereum must evolve or risk irrelevance,” remarked one developer on X. Stanczak acknowledged these challenges, pledging transparent communication to rebuild trust.
Execution Risks Loom Over Ambitious Roadmap
Despite optimism, technical hurdles and developer burnout threaten progress. The Pectra upgrade’s testnet issues underscore the complexity of overhauling Ethereum’s core. “Teams are exhausted,” admitted Foundation member Nixo, citing tight deadlines for consensus-layer upgrades.
Moreover, regulatory shifts under the U.S.’s pro-crypto policies add uncertainty. While deregulation may foster innovation, market volatility persists, with crypto losing $1.2 trillion since late 2024.
A Make-or-Break Moment for Ethereum
The Ethereum Foundation’s strategic pivot marks a critical effort to retain its smart-contract dominance. By enhancing user experience and base-layer efficiency, it aims to counter rivals and rekindle institutional interest.
Success hinges on executing upgrades like Pectra flawlessly and uniting a fragmented community. As Stanczak asserts, “Ethereum’s strength lies in collaboration.” With Buterin’s vision and renewed focus, the network could reclaim its leadership if it delivers.
