business
Five Ethereum Foundation Researchers Leave to Form Independent Ethlabs Nonprofit
Ethlabs, backed by SharpLink Gaming, Bitmine Immersion Technologies and Joe Lubin, began operations on June 22 to advance transaction settlement and tokenized asset infrastructure. The group draws from recent departures at the Ethereum Foundation.
coindesk.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Five former senior Ethereum Foundation researchers announced the launch of Ethlabs, an independent nonprofit research organization, on June 22. Ansgar Dietrichs serves as executive director, joined by Barnabé Monnot, Caspar Schwarz-Schilling, Josh Rudolf and Julian Ma.
The organization received funding from SharpLink Gaming, Bitmine Immersion Technologies, Consensys CEO Joe Lubin, Anchorage Digital, Octant and SNZ.
Its initial projects target faster transaction settlement, greater network capacity and improved infrastructure for institutions issuing tokenized assets and stablecoins. xyz data. The founders previously contributed to Ethereum scaling, data availability, protocol economics and network finality.
The announcement follows leadership changes at the Ethereum Foundation. Co-executive director Hsiao-Wei Wang said last week she would step down, while Monnot and Ma left the foundation earlier in 2026. Ethlabs will administer grants through an external process to preserve independence.
Funding contributors will receive transparency reports but hold no direct control over technical priorities, and all research will be published openly. Joe Lubin stated that multiple steward organizations are now positioned to evolve and protect the network while expanding its use. Ansgar Dietrichs said Ethereum is at a pivotal moment as blockchain systems move into mainstream use.
