Ethereum has long been the undisputed king of smart contract platforms. However, as 2025 rolls on, cracks have begun to appear in its foundation.

The Ethereum Foundation (EF), a non-profit organization tasked with overseeing blockchain development, is facing one of its most turbulent times yet.

ETH: Conflict of Interest and Transparency Issues

Leadership changes, internal conflicts, and a controversial $165 million investment in DeFi have raised concerns about Ethereum’s governance and neutrality. These struggles have come at a critical time. The crypto market is changing, and new contenders are emerging as serious challengers to Ethereum’s position as the second-largest cryptocurrency.

Vitalik Buterin recently confirmed a shakeup within the Ethereum Foundation to address long-standing governance issues. This reform was prompted by controversies such as the EigenLayer scandal, where two Ethereum Foundation researchers, Justin Drake and Dankrad Feist, took on highly lucrative advisory roles