The Ethereum Foundation is going through a new wave of high-profile employee departures. Researchers Julian Ma and Carl Beek submitted their resignations this Monday, bringing to at least eight the total exits accumulated by the nonprofit organization so far in 2026, five of which were recorded in May alone.
Ma, who contributed to the development of censorship-resistant properties and bridge algorithms between layers, completed four years at the foundation. Beek, with seven years of tenure, was part of the initial design of the Beacon Chain, the key component that introduced proof-of-stake to the protocol. Ma explained on X that his departure reflects a refocus toward product and growth, while Beek indicated he will dedicate the coming period to his family.
Life Update: I have decided to leave the Ethereum Foundation. I’m very grateful to have worked with so many talented and inspiring people on an incredibly important project over the past four years.
I’m proud of the work we’ve done. Here are some of my personal highlights:
-…
— Julian (@_julianma) May 18, 2026
Their respective resignations add to those of Barnabé Monnot, Tim Beiko, Josh Stark, Trent Van Epps, and Tomasz Stanczak, who also left the Ethereum Foundation in recent months.
In 2025, Vitalik Buterin announced leadership changes and a new strategic direction for Ethereum, in response to criticism over the handling of the long-term roadmap and with the goal of bringing in profiles oriented toward improving the protocol’s performance and speed.
Source: https://x.com/_julianma/status/2056391635731128763
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