The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has formed an external advisory group, the "Silviculture Society," to help uphold Eth$ETH ereums core values, including open-source development, privacy, and resistance to censorship. Announced on February 28, the group includes 15 experts from outside the EF who will offer informal guidance to support Ethereum's principles. This move follows criticism from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who expressed disappointment over the crypto industry's shift toward gambling, particularly blockchain casinos. Buterin has warned that abandoning Ethereum’s core values would lead to his disengagement.
Additionally, the EF recently pledged $1.25 million to support Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev’s legal defense, emphasizing the importance of privacy and the right to code freely. Pertsev thanked the foundation for its support, noting it greatly aids his appeal process.