Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin publicly expressed his appreciation for the upcoming departure of Tomasz K. Stańczak, highlighting his contributions and signaling the foundation’s ongoing transformation and governance strengthening.
(This is not only a personal thank you but also a message of the foundation’s continued evolution and commitment to governance enhancement.)
(Background note: Vitalik: “Algorithmic stablecoins” are the true DeFi! The dollar-pegged model should step aside.)
(Additional context: Vitalik proposed four key directions for Ethereum in the AI era + two red lines: freedom must not be compromised, and the world must not be destroyed.)
Table of Contents
- Announcement of leadership change signals a phase of organizational adjustment
- Vitalik’s message of appreciation and high praise for contributions during tenure
- Unique vision and organizational culture influence
- Improving efficiency and external responsiveness
- Confronting AI-driven transformation and promoting mindset shifts
- Behind personnel changes, reflecting the foundation’s strategic direction
As leadership changes occur at the Ethereum Foundation (EF), Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin publicly congratulated Tomasz K. Stańczak on his upcoming departure. This not only serves as a personal thank you but also signals the foundation’s ongoing transformation and strengthened governance.
Tomasz has always impressed me with his work ethic, his unique personality, and the kind of organization that he built at Nethermind. He brought a perspective on Ethereum, what blockchains fundamentally are, and how they fit into the future of the world as a whole, that was… https://t.co/puOO3ULubV
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 13, 2026
Leadership Transition Announced, Organizational Phase Adjustment
On February 13, 2026, Tomasz K. Stańczak, co-Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation, announced he would step down from his role at the end of the month. Originally founder of Nethermind, a major Ethereum client development team, Tomasz joined the EF in 2025, co-leading alongside Hsiao-Wei.
Post-departure, Tomasz will remain active within the Ethereum ecosystem, focusing on core development, product implementation, and governance related to agents. The foundation also announced Bastian Aue will succeed him as co-Executive Director, emphasizing this as a phase of adjustment rather than a strategic shift.
Vitalik’s Message of Appreciation and High Praise
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, immediately took to social platform X to publicly commend Tomasz’s performance and contributions during his tenure.
Unique Vision and Organizational Culture Impact
Vitalik highlighted that Tomasz brought a distinctive and insightful perspective, not only continuing the organizational culture he established at Nethermind but also fostering deep reflection on Ethereum’s essence within the foundation. He believes Tomasz offered a view on blockchain’s role in the global future that diverged from mainstream factions, enriching community discussions.
Improving Efficiency and External Responsiveness
Vitalik noted that within just a year, Tomasz significantly enhanced operational efficiency across multiple foundation departments, enabling EF to respond more swiftly and flexibly to external changes. He encouraged the organization to break out of comfort zones and actively explore new initiatives, injecting fresh energy into the foundation.
Confronting AI-driven Transformation and Promoting Mindset Shifts
Vitalik emphasized that a key achievement during Tomasz’s tenure was encouraging the team to take seriously the profound impact artificial intelligence (AI) could have on the blockchain world. Against the backdrop of accelerating global tech development, the intersection of AI and blockchain has become a strategic focus, seen as a forward-looking move by EF.
Personnel Changes Reflect Foundation’s Strategic Direction
The author believes Vitalik’s public response not only expresses personal gratitude but also conveys a broader organizational signal: Ethereum Foundation is moving toward greater efficiency, openness, and innovation.
This aligns with the reform directions promoted by Tomasz and echoes Vitalik’s long-standing philosophy — Ethereum should maintain technological neutrality while adapting quickly to external changes. As the blockchain industry matures, with regulation and technological innovation advancing hand in hand, the foundation’s coordinating role becomes increasingly vital.
Below is Vitalik’s original post:
Tomasz has always impressed me with his work ethic, his unique personality, and the kind of organization that he built at Nethermind. He brought a perspective on Ethereum, what blockchains fundamentally are, and how they fit into the future of the world as a whole, that was… https://t.co/puOO3ULubV
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 13, 2026
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