Josh Stark, a senior researcher and project manager at the Ethereum Foundation, announced Thursday that he is departing the organization after five years. In a post on X, Stark said he has “no plans for the future” and intends to take personal time to focus on family and friends. He used the message to reflect on Ethereum’s journey, noting milestones many once thought impossible—from the network’s launch and the rise of DeFi to the transition to Proof of Stake.
Stark appears on the Foundation’s organizational chart among four people listed under “Management,” which shows nearly all staff reporting into the organization. Cointelegraph contacted Stark about his departure but had not received a response by publication.
His exit is the most notable from the Foundation since co-founder Vitalik Buterin announced major leadership changes and a new strategic direction in 2025. The departure follows a recent resignation by contributor Trent Van Epps, who said he stepped down the week prior.
Buterin’s 2025 reorganization sought to bring in fresh talent, increase decentralization, and reorient development priorities toward higher transaction throughput. He also stated the Foundation would avoid ideological disputes, refrain from lobbying lawmakers, and not represent vested interests, suggesting anyone who wanted a different approach should form their own organization.
In March 2025 the Foundation named Hsiao-Wei Wang and Tomasz Stańczak as co-directors; Stańczak later stepped down in February 2026, while Wang remains listed on the management chart.
Cointelegraph emphasizes its commitment to independent, transparent journalism and encourages readers to verify information independently.