Vitalik Buterin Says Ethereum Foundation Will Become Smaller and Sell Less ETH

The Ethereum Foundation is preparing for major changes as Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin shared his personal view on the organization’s future following criticism and a growing number of researcher exits.

In a long X statement, Buterin said the Ethereum Foundation (EF) will become a “smaller ship” and focus on “longevity over breadth.” He explained that the foundation plans to sell less ETH and only support work that is critical for Ethereum’s future.

Ethereum Foundation Researcher Exodus Raises Questions

The comments come after several high-profile contributors left the Ethereum Foundation in 2026. At least eight senior contributors have either stepped away or announced plans to leave, including several exits in May. Leadership changes have also added to concerns, with Tomasz Stanczak stepping down as co-executive director and protocol leader Alex Stokes taking a sabbatical.

Former Ethereum developer Dankrad Feist also sparked debate after proposing a separate $1 billion Ethereum advocacy organization that would be more economically tied to ETH.

Buterin admitted he has heard criticism from community members who believe the foundation’s actions do not fully match Ethereum’s public goals of decentralization, privacy, and “sanctuary technology.”

Why Ethereum Foundation Wants a Smaller Role

According to Buterin, the Ethereum Foundation should not be seen as Ethereum’s center but as “one node” in a wider ecosystem. He revealed the EF controls only around 0.16% of ETH supply, far below many blockchain foundations.

He also said his own influence inside the foundation will continue to decrease, adding that this is something he personally wants.

Ethereum Technical Priorities Include AI and Security

Buterin outlined three major priorities for Ethereum’s future: creating “provably bug-free Ethereum” through AI-assisted formal verification, improving chain consensus, and reducing reliance on intermediaries through projects such as FOCIL, EIP-8141, EIP-7701, and the Kohaku wallet framework.

ETH is trading at roughly $2,107 as of Monday;