Introduction
The Ethereum ecosystem has entered an exciting new phase with the recent Pectra network upgrade. In a candid interview with Bankless, Ethereum Foundation's new co-executive directors Tamas Stanczak and Shay Wong outlined their vision for accelerating Ethereum's development while addressing community concerns.
Leadership Transition and Vision
Shay Wong's Background
- Joined Ethereum Foundation in 2017 as core protocol researcher
- Specialized in consensus layer development during The Merge transition
- Previously co-led EF's consensus R&D team
Tomasz Stanczak's Journey
- Entered Ethereum space through London meetups (2015-2016)
- Founded Nethermind infrastructure company (2017)
- Contributed to MEV solutions through Flashbots
- Brings organizational expertise to EF leadership
"Our mission is to be stewards of the ecosystem," explains Wong. "We must focus on critical areas while empowering other participants."
Stanczak emphasizes practical execution: "I view my role as enabling short-term, dynamic changes that align with our core values of decentralization and open access."
Addressing Community Concerns
The leadership team acknowledged three key areas for improvement:
- Execution Speed
Accelerating development cycles through streamlined processes - Communication
Providing clearer roadmap updates and technical explanations - User Connection
Strengthening ties with DeFi builders and end users
👉 Discover how Ethereum's upgrades impact decentralized finance
Three Strategic Priorities
Scaling Layer 1
- Initial target: 3x capacity increase in 2024
- Long-term goal: 100x scaling within four years
- Incorporating ZK technologies for acceleration
Expanding Blob Capacity
- Enhancing data availability for L2 solutions
- Supporting rollup ecosystem growth
Improving User Experience
- Account abstraction through EIP-3074
- Simplified staking mechanics
- Enhanced developer tooling
Technical Roadmap
| Upgrade | Timeline | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Pectra | Completed | Staking improvements, initial scaling |
| Fusaka | Fall 2024 | UX enhancements, AA implementations |
| Amsterdam | Late 2025 | Major L1 scaling solutions |
The team plans to accelerate hard fork cycles to approximately every six months while maintaining rigorous security standards.
Community Q&A
On ETH Sales
"We must sell some ETH for operations and grants," Wong clarified. "It's a necessary part of sustaining our work."
Foundation's Role
"We're not protocol owners," Stanczak noted. "Our job is facilitating connections and sharing expertise when the ecosystem has gaps."
Measuring Success
Key metrics include:
- L1 throughput improvements
- Blob capacity utilization
- Developer onboarding rates
- End-user transaction metrics
👉 Explore Ethereum's scaling solutions in depth
Frequently Asked Questions
What changes will Pectra bring?
Pectra introduces staking modifications and lays groundwork for account abstraction through EIP-3074 analogues.
How will UX improve?
Future upgrades will simplify wallet interactions, reduce gas complexity, and make staking more accessible.
What's the timeline for 100x scaling?
The team aims to achieve this through progressive upgrades over approximately four years.
Will hard forks become more frequent?
Yes, targeting ~6 month intervals while maintaining security through extensive testing.
How can builders get involved?
The Foundation plans enhanced support programs including better grant processes and technical advisory services.
Conclusion
Under new leadership, the Ethereum Foundation is embracing faster execution cycles while staying true to core decentralization principles. With clear scaling targets and improved community engagement, Ethereum appears poised for its next growth phase.
"The most exciting work happens when we balance principle with resilient growth," Wong reflects. "That's how we'll build the Ethereum we all want to see."