Vitalik Buterin Reacts as Tomasz Stanczak Steps Down as Ethereum Foundation Director

Key Insights:

• Vitalik Buterin praises Stanczak’s impact while Bastian Aue steps in to help lead the organization.
• Tomasz Stanczak announces departure as co-executive director, prompting leadership changes at the Ethereum Foundation.
• Ethereum staking reaches a new high with 37.2 million ETH locked, showing continued network participation.

Vitalik Buterin has reacted as the Ethereum Foundation enters a new phase after leadership changes triggered discussion across the crypto community. This comes as Tomasz Stanczak confirmed he will leave his role soon. The community is focusing on his successor amid Ethereum staking growth.

Vitalik Buterin and the Ethereum Foundation Leadership Reshuffle

Ethereum Foundation leadership changes began after Tomasz K. Stańczak said he would step down from his co-executive director position at the end of February 2026. The move ends a period in which he helped guide internal changes and pushed for faster decision-making inside the organization.

He shared that he believes the future remains strong for builders, for Ethereum, and for the foundation, even as he leaves the role. Vitalik Buterin responded with a detailed message that praised Stanczak’s work style and ideas.

He said Stanczak brought a different way of thinking about how blockchains fit into the wider world. According to Vitalik Buterin, the past year saw improvements in efficiency across several areas, along with a stronger focus on responding to external developments rather than staying inward-looking.

Similarly, Buterin also noted that Stanczak encouraged teams to explore new directions and consider how artificial intelligence could affect blockchain use. He described the impact as fresh energy that pushed the organization beyond familiar habits.

Community members echoed similar thoughts, saying the leadership shift reflects growth rather than crisis.

The foundation has long described itself as a steward for the network rather than a controlling body. Because of this, any leadership change attracts close attention from developers and users who see the group as a guiding voice.

Stanczak said he plans to remain active in the ecosystem. He will continue answering questions through events, podcasts, and open discussions. His tone suggested a transition rather than a break. Many supporters framed his departure as part of a natural cycle within the project’s long history.

Bastian Aue Steps in as Co-Executive Director

Leadership continuity became clearer when Bastian Aue was named co-executive director alongside Hsiao-Wei Wang. The appointment signals an effort to maintain stability while allowing new ideas to shape the next stage of development.

Aue said he understands the weight of the position and intends to continue the progress made during the previous year. He pointed to his experience working behind the scenes in management roles, where he focused on budgets, coordination, and long-term planning.

Much of this work may not have been visible to the public, but it helped guide strategy and support teams across the organization. In his statement, he emphasized that decisions will be guided by the core traits that define the network.

Additionally, he mentioned permissionless infrastructure, strong privacy standards, and resilience as key goals. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration with researchers, developers, solo stakers, and community organizers.

Observers noted that Aue’s background inside the organization may help smooth the transition.

Since he has already worked closely with leadership figures and team leads, supporters expect fewer disruptions as projects continue. The reshuffle, therefore, appears designed to balance continuity with gradual change.

Ethereum Hits New Staking Milestone as Vitalik Buterin News Trended

While Vitalik Buterin and the leadership news dominated the discussion, network data showed another development gaining attention. Community posts reported that about 37.2 million Ethereum are now locked in staking. It is equal to roughly 30.8% of the total supply. The milestone marks the highest level recorded so far.

Staking involves committing tokens to help secure the network and validate transactions. Higher participation often reflects confidence among holders who choose to lock their assets rather than keep them liquid.

Market watchers said the increase suggests steady trust even during periods of organizational change. It is important to note that some users attributed the increase in stakers to the ecosystem’s overall growth.

They cited more infrastructure and stronger participation from validators. Others saw Vitalik Buterin message as a sign that long-term holders were still prioritizing stability over volatility.