Michaela
Péter Szilágyi, lead developer for Geth and former Ethereum Foundation (EF) employee, has accused the organization of both undermining his team and secretly establishing a parallel Geth development unit.
In a post on X, Szilágyi detailed various methods by which the organization allegedly sought to weaken the Geth development team. These included urging developers to pursue opportunities at other companies, suggesting reductions in their compensation, and proposing a $5 million payment for the team to transition into a private entity.
“Did you all know EF started (and funded) a second Geth team [inside Nethermind]? One “100% independent fork from us, with no intended collaboration” according to [Josh Stark]. Ah, and they totally didn’t tell either me, Felix or Martin until I found out in November 2025. Yeah,” Szilágyi wrote. He later corrected the year further in his post chain.
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Szilágyi further revealed that his dismissal from the Ethereum Foundation occurred after a confrontation with Stark, a Foundation representative. This meeting reportedly centered on Szilágyi’s allegations regarding the secretly established second Geth development team.
“Remember my sabbatical? Yeah, that was me having a one-to-one meeting with [Stark] about that “secret second Geth team” I found out about. Within 24 hours I was fired from the foundation,” the Geth developer wrote.
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Szilágyi’s accusations emerge amidst a period of significant shifts within the Ethereum Foundation, including recent leadership transitions and concerted efforts to boost institutional engagement. These initiatives specifically aim to invigorate interest in the broader Ethereum network and its underlying blockchain protocol.
The internal revelations from a key developer spotlight the complex challenges of governance and oversight within foundational organizations in the rapidly evolving digital asset space. Such disputes emphasize the critical need for robust transparency and clear communication strategies as these influential entities navigate growth and maintain community trust.
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MICHAELA
Michaela is a news writer focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain topics. She prioritizes rigorous research and accuracy to uncover interesting angles and ensure engaging reporting. A lifelong book lover, she applies her passion for reading to deeply explore the constantly evolving crypto world.
