Dankrad Feist’s Transition to Tempo
Dankrad Feist, a key figure in the Ethereum ecosystem and researcher at the Ethereum Foundation since 2018, has announced his departure to join Tempo, a Layer-1 blockchain initiative backed by Stripe and Paradigm. This transition was made public on Friday, October 17, as Feist aims to focus on enhancing the adoption of cryptocurrency payments within the growing fintech landscape.
About Tempo
Tempo, which commenced operations in September 2025, specializes in stablecoin transactions and is seen as a significant step in the evolution of crypto payment solutions.
Feist’s Contributions to Ethereum
Feist, who became a full-time researcher at the Ethereum Foundation in 2019, has played a pivotal role in the organization’s advancements, notably in developing Danksharding and the upcoming PeerDAS scaling upgrade. In his statement regarding the move, he expressed enthusiasm about his new role:
“This past year has marked a turning point for cryptocurrency, with tangible progress toward our vision. In the early days, payment systems were at the forefront, and I identify a unique opportunity for growth now.”
Ongoing Commitment to Ethereum
Despite transitioning to Tempo, Feist will maintain his advisory role at the Ethereum Foundation, concentrating on research in Layer-1 scaling, user experience, and other strategic initiatives within the Protocol Cluster. This dual commitment underscores his dedication to the broader Ethereum community, as he noted:
“Ethereum and Tempo share fundamental permissionless ideals. I am eager to remain active in the community and contribute to the future of Ethereum.”
Controversies and Future Focus
Feist’s prior engagement with EigenLayer in 2024 had sparked controversy due to perceived conflicts of interest, which led to his resignation from that advisory role along with colleague Justin Drake. Nonetheless, his current focus appears to align closely with the ongoing developments in the crypto sector and the evolution of blockchain infrastructure.
