Researcher Josh Stark leaves the Ethereum Foundation in the latest high-level exit

Josh Stark, a senior figure at the Ethereum Foundation, will step down from his leadership role by the end of April 2026, marking the latest in a series of high-level exits from the organization.

Stark played a key role in shaping Ethereum’s development, contributing to core research efforts and helping guide major milestones, including the network’s transition to proof of stake in 2022.

His work also extended to broader ecosystem development during a period of rapid growth for decentralized finance.

Reflecting on his time at the foundation, Stark acknowledged the team’s progress but noted that the journey was often uncertain, particularly around whether Ethereum and DeFi could scale as intended.

Explaining what sustained the team through those periods, he said,

We do not need to accept the world as it is, or where we fear it is going. That is not hope, it is definite: I have seen the proof.

Stark did not outline specific next steps for his career, stating only that he intends to spend more time with family and friends following his departure.

The Ethereum Foundation faces growing leadership turnover

Stark’s exit comes amid a broader wave of departures from the Ethereum Foundation, with several senior figures stepping down over the past year.

In February, Tomasz Stańczak, the foundation’s former co-executive director, left his role after only a few months in position.

During his tenure, he focused on strengthening alignment between the foundation and Ethereum’s developer ecosystem. He has since indicated that he will continue contributing from outside the organization.

Earlier, in October 2025, Dankrad Feist exited to join Tempo, a blockchain initiative backed by Stripe, while retaining an advisory role similar to Stańczak’s.

Other departures include Max Resnick, who moved to Anza, a development firm within the Solana ecosystem.

While some turnover may reflect a natural transition, individuals familiar with the foundation’s operations have pointed to misaligned incentives as a contributing factor.

Ethereum holds steady despite exits

Despite the leadership changes, Ethereum has remained relatively stable. At the time of writing, Ethereum [ETH] traded at around $2,335, up 0.95% over the past 24 hours.

On-chain data shows net inflows of approximately $28.98 million in ETH over the past 48 hours, indicating stronger buying activity than selling within that period.

Trading volume has also increased, rising 17% over the past day to approach $20 billion, suggesting sustained market participation despite the internal shifts at the foundation.

Final Summary

• Josh Stark will step down from his leadership role at the end of April.
• This wave of departures at the Ethereum Foundation is linked to internal misalignment.