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Former Ethereum Foundation developer Péter Szilágyi published a letter criticizing Vitalik Buterin’s influence.
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The letter claimed a small group controls most major Ethereum projects.
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The disclosure sparked public debate involving Polygon and Sonic Labs founders.
Letter Raises Governance Concerns
Péter Szilágyi, a former lead developer for Geth at the Ethereum Foundation, has reignited the debate over centralization in Ethereum. He published a letter sent last year to the Foundation’s leadership, where he questioned the concentration of influence around Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin.
In the letter, Szilágyi argued that Ethereum’s direction often depends on one’s relationship with Buterin, saying project success is heavily shaped by a small inner circle supported by a few venture firms.
Community Reactions
The publication quickly sparked industry-wide discussion. Polygon CEO Sandeep Nailwal said he has “started questioning” his loyalty to Ethereum, claiming Polygon received no direct support from the Foundation despite contributing to Ethereum’s growth. Sonic Labs co-founder Andre Cronje echoed similar frustrations, citing poor communication from leadership.
Buterin’s Response and Broader Changes
While Buterin has not commented directly on the letter, he praised Polygon’s contributions on X, highlighting its work on zero-knowledge infrastructure. The Ethereum Foundation has since undergone restructuring, cutting staff in June and redefining its ETH management strategy, possibly signaling internal changes after the criticism.
