An overwhelming 97% of 335 participants in an informal Ethereum poll expressed their support for Danny Ryan, a former researcher, to lead the Ethereum Foundation (EF).
The voters, who collectively hold more than 51,198 ETH valued roughly at $164 million, submitted their votes through an unendorsed on-chain survey hosted at votedannyryan.com.
This development is a part of a wider community dissatisfaction concerning the EF’s leadership, which has come under fire for perceived inefficiencies and a lack of clear direction.
Danny Ryan played a crucial role in steering Ethereum through its transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake during “The Merge.”
Ryan possesses an in-depth understanding of Ethereum along with considerable respect from both the developer and user communities, suggesting his potential to invigorate the foundation if placed in a leadership position.
Buterin’s Position and Proposed Overhauls at EF
On the backdrop of these developments, Vitalik Buterin made it clear that he holds the authority to make decisions regarding EF leadership changes until formal governance reforms are enacted to appoint a “proper board.” Buterin stressed that external influences would not play a role in determining leadership choices.
His primary focus was on cultivating an environment that attracts top talent, a stance he adopted in response to what he perceived as a toxic online environment fueled by social media pressures.
“The individual responsible for selecting the new EF leadership team is me. As part of the ongoing reform efforts, one of the objectives is to establish a ‘proper board’ for the EF, but until that mechanism is in place, the responsibility lies with me.”
Despite his firm stance, Buterin acknowledged the necessity for reform and hinted at ongoing talks regarding the potential establishment of a formal board for the EF, a move intended to decentralize decision-making within the foundation.
If implemented, this proposed adjustment could reshape the leadership framework, veering away from a setup where a single person holds considerable sway over critical decisions.
If these reforms come to fruition, they might pave the way for a more community-inclusive process of selecting leaders, potentially affording individuals like Ryan a more defined role.
The resounding support for Danny Ryan from the community notwithstanding, any changes to the EF leadership structure rest on Buterin’s decisions or the introduction of a new governance model that better reflects the community’s sentiments.
This juncture is pivotal for Ethereum, as internal transformations and community feedback could profoundly influence its future trajectory.