An informal poll conducted within the Ethereum community has revealed overwhelming support for Danny Ryan to lead the Ethereum Foundation (EF). With 97% of 335 voters backing Ryan, a former researcher, this move signifies a desire for change within the EF leadership. The voters, holding a significant amount of ETH valued at around $164 million, participated in the unofficial on-chain poll at votedannyryan.com.
This surge of support for Ryan comes amidst growing criticism of the current EF leadership under Aya Miyaguchi, who has been in charge since 2018. The community has expressed concerns over the foundation’s lack of vision and technical expertise, particularly as Ethereum’s market performance lags behind other leading cryptocurrencies.
Danny Ryan’s role in Ethereum’s transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake during “The Merge” has positioned him as a key figure with deep Ethereum expertise. His strong reputation within both the developer and user communities could revitalize the foundation and steer Ethereum towards future success.
In response to calls for leadership change, Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s co-founder, has clarified that he holds the authority to make EF leadership decisions until formal governance reforms establish a “proper board.” Buterin emphasized that external pressures will not influence his leadership choices, aiming to create an environment that attracts top talent and fosters innovation.
While Buterin acknowledges the need for reform within the EF, discussions are underway to potentially introduce a formal board structure that decentralizes decision-making. This shift could lead to a more community-driven leadership selection process, opening the door for figures like Danny Ryan to play a more structured role within the foundation.
As Ethereum navigates this critical moment of internal reform and community sentiment, the future direction of the platform hinges on Buterin’s decisions and the potential implementation of a new governance model that better reflects the community’s voice. The Ethereum community’s overwhelming support for Danny Ryan underscores the importance of effective leadership in shaping the platform’s trajectory moving forward.