- Former Ethereum Foundation researchers launch Ethlabs to advance core network research.
- New nonprofit aims to support growing institutional and onchain activity on Ethereum.
- Ethlabs will focus on scaling, interoperability, settlement efficiency, and data access.
A group of former Ethereum Foundation researchers has launched Ethlabs, a nonprofit research and development organization devoted to advancing Ethereum’s core infrastructure. The new entity begins operations with financial backing from several Ethereum network participants, including Bitmine, SharpLink, Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin, Anchorage, Octant, and SNZ.
According to the announcement, Ethlabs will operate independently and set its own research priorities without direction from its funders.
New Organization Focuses on Ethereum’s Next Development Phase
Ethlabs was established by five former senior Ethereum Foundation researchers: Ansgar Dietrichs, Barnabé Monnot, Caspar Schwarz-Schilling, Josh Rudolf, and Julian Ma. The team has previously worked on areas of Ethereum development, including finality, protocol economics, scaling, data availability, and virtual machine research.
The organization stated that its work will focus on several technical areas that are receiving increasing attention as more financial activity moves onto blockchain networks. Initial research priorities include settlement efficiency, scalability, cross-chain interoperability, data availability, and Ethereum’s protocol economics.
Research Agenda Targets Institutional Blockchain Activity
The launch comes as stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets, investment funds, and AI-driven commercial applications continue to expand their presence on blockchain networks. Ethlabs said its early work will focus on research intended to support larger-scale activity on Ethereum, including faster settlement processes, infrastructure for asset issuance and movement across networks, and additional mainnet capacity.
The organization also plans to conduct research related to Ethereum’s monetary properties and network architecture. Ethlabs noted that these efforts are intended to address technical requirements associated with increasing blockchain usage.
Part of a Broader Shift in Ethereum Development
The announcement described the launch as part of a broader evolution within Ethereum’s development structure. As the Ethereum Foundation continues to focus on its core responsibilities, independent organizations are contributing to protocol research and development.
Ethlabs joins that growing group of external research organizations, with its leadership stating that technical priorities will remain under the control of the organization’s researchers and developers.
Related: Ethereum Team Eyes Poseidon Migration to Boost Zero-Knowledge Proofs
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