Eric Conner, a major Ethereum core developer, has announced his retirement from the community, expressing disagreement with co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s leadership decisions. The action comes after Buterin rejected requests for changes in the Ethereum Foundation’s leadership, insisting that he would make choices about the organization’s future until a formal board is constituted.Conner, who has been with Ethereum for almost a decade and played a key role in the creation of the Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP)-1559, expressed his concerns on social media, indicating that he could no longer support the present leadership. He voiced dissatisfaction with Ethereum’s path under Buterin’s sole leadership, claiming that he had “lost passion” for the project.
In his article, Conner stated that he was going on to pursue chances in artificial intelligence, specifically with Freysa.ai, a platform that blends AI and blockchain technology. He underlined the value of decentralization and the necessity for crypto and AI to collaborate to create a more open, trustworthy future.
Despite his resignation, Conner voiced his optimism for Ethereum’s development, recognizing that strong leadership and community alignment are required for progress. He also hinted at potential AI cooperation, emphasizing the importance of focusing on innovation rather than any one blockchain or individual. This departure comes amid rising worries among the Ethereum community regarding the Foundation’s leadership and capacity to adapt to the changing needs of the blockchain ecosystem. While Buterin has defended his decisions, many community members continue to advocate for structural changes and increased openness inside the corporation