Aya Miyaguchi Steps Up as Ethereum Foundation President

Aya Miyaguchi steps up as Ethereum Foundation president, reshaping leadership and governance amid community scrutiny.

• Danny Ryan emerges as a potential EF lead director after spearheading Ethereum’s proof-of-stake transition.
• Vitalik Buterin opposes the UK’s encryption backdoor proposal, stressing security risks and advocating for stronger encryption.

Ethereum Foundation Leadership Transition

The Ethereum Foundation (EF) is undergoing a major leadership transition with Executive Director Aya Miyaguchi stepping up as president. This decision comes in response to community scrutiny and broader criticisms regarding EF’s management, reshaping Ethereum’s governance structure.

Miyaguchi’s Role Change and Its Implications

Miyaguchi’s transition has been in progress for about a year. This new position allows her to continue fostering institutional relationships while remaining engaged in community development. Vitalik Buterin acknowledged her contributions to nurturing innovation within Ethereum. Since 2018, she has significantly contributed to Ethereum’s growth and improved the network’s performance, all while staying committed to EF’s mission and decentralized ethos.

Consequently, the foundation is now reassessing its leadership framework. Many within the community advocate for Danny Ryan as the new lead director, particularly due to his role in transitioning Ethereum to a proof-of-stake system. His leadership could greatly benefit Ethereum’s long-term evolution, although the decision remains unmade.

Buterin Opposes UK’s Encryption Backdoor Proposal

Meanwhile, Buterin expressed strong opposition to the UK government’s encryption backdoor proposal, highlighting that backdoors inherently weaken security. He noted that centralized data collection increases vulnerabilities and risks unauthorized access, endangering digital privacy.

> Glad to see this backdoor push getting a much-deserved smackdown.
> Centralized points of mass data collection are inherently dangerous, and will inevitably be accessed by all kinds of adversaries.
> — vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 22, 2025

Buterin urged organizations like GCHQ and the NSA to implement stronger encryption protocols, maintaining that decentralized data practices are essential for user security and privacy. His stance underscores broader concerns regarding government overreach and weakened encryption standards, as privacy groups warn against potential spying. As such, the UK government’s proposed policy is under close examination, with technology experts advocating for prioritizing user privacy over centralized authority.