Senior researchers resign amid Ethereum Foundation reorganization and new mandate, prompting scrutiny

The Ethereum Foundation has experienced another wave of high‑profile departures, with long‑time researchers Carl Beek and Julian Ma confirming resignations on May 18, 2026. Reports say these exits extend a broader pattern of turnover that has affected protocol coordinators and researchers at the non‑profit ^{[1] [2]}.

Reporting links the turnover to an internal transition tied to a newly published organizational mandate that aims to clarify and redefine the foundation’s role within the Ethereum ecosystem; that change is cited as a context for the recent departures ^{[3] [2]}.

The developments have prompted mounting scrutiny and questions across the crypto community about why contributors are stepping away and how the foundation will adapt, according to coverage and commentary in the press ^{[4] [3]}.

Coverage is ongoing as observers monitor further staff changes and how the foundation’s new mandate influences its staffing and role in the Ethereum ecosystem ^{[4] [3]}.