The Ethereum Foundation (EF) appears to be rethinking its growth strategy, pivoting toward a founder-driven approach and focusing on capital formation within the ecosystem. This shift comes after increasing criticism from investors and developers regarding Ethereum’s lack of momentum.
A Change in Ethereum’s Strategic Direction
According to Dragonfly Capital’s managing partner, Haseeb Qureshi, Ethereum’s leadership is recognizing the need for change. After engaging with EF representatives at ETH SF, Qureshi expressed optimism about Ethereum’s future, emphasizing a renewed sense of urgency and adaptability within the Foundation.
“There’s a real urgency and an understanding that things need to change. It’s not 2020 anymore, and they get it—they want Ethereum to matter.” — Haseeb Qureshi
In a March 17 post on X, Qureshi revealed that Ethereum’s leadership is exploring ways to replicate the success of Solana’s Superteam—a community-driven initiative that has been instrumental in growing the Solana ecosystem. This would mark a significant shift away from a research-heavy focus and toward fostering new projects, founders, and capital inflows.
Ethereum’s Leadership Under Pressure
Ethereum’s governance and development pace have been under scrutiny recently, with industry figures calling for a clearer vision and faster execution.
Former Ethereum Foundation engineer Harikrishnan Mulackal recently voiced concerns about the network’s governance, stating that Ethereum lacks a cohesive direction. He suggested that Ethereum should accelerate development cycles by implementing quarterly hard forks to avoid stagnation.
“Without stronger leadership, Ethereum could stagnate… Otherwise, it risks reproducing exactly the same result as the past five years.” — Harikrishnan Mulackal
Replicating Solana’s Superteam Model
Solana’s Superteam has been highly effective in attracting talent, supporting developers, and boosting ecosystem growth. The Ethereum Foundation is now considering a similar approach to nurture new founders, onboard fresh capital, and drive innovation in a more structured way.
Qureshi emphasized that Ethereum’s leadership is actively listening to feedback from investors and developers and is rethinking its strategy accordingly.
“Ethereum leadership have been getting a lot of criticism, and it’s important that you all know this — it’s working. They’re listening. They’re thinking hard about how to adapt. It’s a teachable moment for them.” — Haseeb Qureshi
Looking Ahead: A More Agile Ethereum?
If Ethereum successfully integrates a founder-first, capital-focused strategy, it could accelerate innovation and regain momentum in the blockchain space. However, it remains to be seen whether Ethereum can balance its research-driven ethos with the fast-paced execution needed to compete with rivals like Solana.
As Ethereum continues to evolve, its ability to adapt to market demands and enhance its developer ecosystem will be crucial in shaping its long-term success.
