Ethereum Foundation Restructures: Aya Miyaguchi Steps Into New Role

This decision comes amid growing criticism from the crypto community and internal challenges facing the organization. According to Miyaguchi, this transition will allow her to focus on strengthening institutional relationships and expanding Ethereum’s cultural impact on a global scale.

The role change has been under consideration for the past year, and an official announcement on the Ethereum Foundation’s blog confirms that this move is part of a strategic restructuring within the organization, not a spontaneous decision. Amid rising tensions within the community, some critics are highlighting governance issues, particularly around the transparency of financial decisions and the overall strategy for network development.

Biography and Journey to Leading Ethereum Foundation

Aya Miyaguchi began her career as a teacher in Japan. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, English, and American Literature, she moved to San Francisco, where she completed an MBA in Marketing and Sustainable Business.

Miyaguchi entered the crypto world in 2013 by joining Kraken, where she eventually became the Head of Kraken’s Japanese division. During her time at Kraken, she met Vitalik Buterin, a connection that would later play a crucial role in her career.

In 2018, Miyaguchi joined the Ethereum Foundation as Executive Director. Her main responsibilities included supporting the ecosystem’s growth, organizing key events like Devcon, and driving innovative projects to enhance network scalability. Under her leadership, the Ethereum Foundation maintained network stability, strengthened collaboration with developers, and successfully implemented critical technical upgrades.

Related: Who Is Aya Miyaguchi: Wrong Leader for Ethereum Foundation?

Community Reactions and Official Statements

Despite her achievements, Aya Miyaguchi’s leadership has received mixed reactions from the crypto community. Some critics pointed to a lack of financial transparency, particularly concerning the periodic sales of ETH, which they argued could have negatively affected the asset’s market value.

Informal polls within the community showed support for appointing a new leader (e.g., Danny Ryan) who could bring a more proactive development strategy to the Ethereum Foundation.

Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, publicly praised Miyaguchi’s contributions over the past seven years in a post on X. He emphasized that the role of an Executive Director is to create an environment where others can excel and do their best work.

He added that every success of the Ethereum Foundation—from the smooth execution of Ethereum hard forks, client engagement workshops, and Devcon conferences to fostering Ethereum’s internal culture and unwavering commitment to the mission and values of Ethereum—can be partially credited to Aya’s leadership.

This statement reflects the leadership’s view on Miyaguchi’s contributions to the foundation’s growth and her role in creating an environment that enabled the success of the entire Ethereum ecosystem.

Related: Ethereum Foundation Is Now Earning from DeFi—But at What Risk?

Future Prospects and Structural Changes

Aya Miyaguchi’s transition to the role of President marks a new chapter for the Ethereum Foundation. In this new role, she will focus on building institutional partnerships and expanding the foundation’s cultural influence, all while staying true to the core principles of decentralization and collective responsibility.

The foundation is also expected to undergo structural reforms aimed at increasing transparency and enhancing governance efficiency. These changes aim to help Ethereum address current challenges, including growing competition from other blockchains.

These adjustments are seen as essential for maintaining Ethereum’s leadership position in the global crypto space, where rapid market changes and technological innovations require constant adaptation. In the future, the Ethereum Foundation’s leadership plans to strengthen technical expertise, enhance communication with the community, and support new projects that align with Ethereum’s core values.

Aya Miyaguchi’s transition to the role of President could be a catalyst for major reforms that drive the network’s continued growth. Despite some criticism, it’s essential to recognize that Ethereum’s success largely depends on its ability to combine technological innovation with a deep understanding of cultural values that have long been at the heart of this unique ecosystem.