Ethereum Foundation Brain Drain Hits 9 Exits in 2026

9 senior researchers have left the Ethereum Foundation in 2026. 5 of them quit in May alone.

The latest to walk out:

▶️ Carl Beek (7 years) - One of the builders of the Beacon Chain

▶️ Julian Ma (4 years) - Created key upgrades for fairness and faster transactions

▶️ Pablo Voorvaart (4 years) - Led the Devcon team

All three protocol research heads are now gone. Another lead is on a long break.

The Foundation has said nothing. No new hires announced.

The timing is the real concern. Ethereum is in the middle of its biggest upgrade phase. Losing the people who actually build the network at this stage is a serious risk for ETH holders.

Good side: Less reliance on one team.

Bad side: Lost knowledge and slower progress.