Ethereum’s leadership battle: Community vs. Buterin’s final say

• An informal poll showed that 97% of voters support Danny Ryan as the next leader of the Ethereum Foundation.
• Vitalik Buterin has proposed becoming the sole decision-maker for leadership changes at the EF.

In an informal Ethereum[ETH] poll, 97% of 335 voters supported Danny Ryan, a former researcher, to lead the Ethereum Foundation (EF).

These voters, holding over 51,198 ETH valued at about $164 million, cast their votes through an unofficial on-chain poll at votedannyryan.com.

This move is part of broader community unrest regarding the EF’s leadership, facing criticism for inefficiencies and lack of direction.

Source: Lookonchain

The Ethereum community’s call for change was driven by several factors, including market performance lagging behind other leading cryptos.

 Moreover, there was a growing sentiment that the current leadership under Aya Miyaguchi, in charge since 2018, lacked the vision and technical expertise needed to push ETH forward in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Danny Ryan was pivotal in Ethereum’s transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake during “The Merge.”

Ryan could revitalize the foundation with his deep Ethereum expertise and strong respect from both developer and user communities.

Buterin’s stance and proposed reforms on EF

Amidst this push, Vitalik Buterin clarified that he was the sole decision-maker for EF leadership changes until formal governance reforms established a “proper board.” Buterin emphasized that external pressures would not dictate leadership decisions.

He aimed to create an environment conducive to top talent. His firm stance responded to what he saw as a toxic atmosphere from social media pressure.

“The person deciding the new EF leadership team is me. One of the goals of the ongoing reform is to give the EF a “proper board”, but until that happens it’s me.”

However, Buterin acknowledged the need for reform, hinting at discussions about giving the EF a formal board. This would help decentralize decision-making within the foundation.

This proposed change could alter the leadership structure, moving away from a model where one individual holds significant sway over key decisions.

If these reforms materialize, they could lead to a more community-involved leadership selection process. This could potentially open the door for figures like Ryan in a more structured capacity.

– Read Ethereum (ETH) Price Prediction 2025-26

The community’s support for Danny Ryan was overwhelming. However, EF leadership changes depend on Buterin’s decision or a new governance model that better represents the community’s voice.

The moment is crucial for Ethereum, as internal reforms and community sentiment could significantly shape its future direction.