Keynote Overview
During the recent Devconnect Day livestream, Hsiao-Wei Wang, the Co-Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation, presented an insightful keynote titled ‘EF & Ethereum Update.’ In her address, she drew a compelling analogy, describing Ethereum, which has celebrated a decade of existence, as a ‘ladder’ that is perpetually constructed by its community. This structure symbolizes an open invitation for both developers and users to participate in an ongoing journey rather than reaching a definitive end. Each contribution made by builders serves as a new starting point for subsequent innovators.
Foundation’s Role and Mission
Wang outlined that the Ethereum Foundation is embarking on a transformative era defined by ‘reliability, flexibility, and governance responsibility.’ She made it clear that while the foundation does not control the Ethereum network, it plays a crucial role in nurturing an environment conducive to natural innovation. Reliability, she indicated, is fundamental to the foundation’s mission as it strives to support the framework that allows participants to ‘climb higher.’
Community Ecosystem
Addressing the community’s ecosystem, Wang emphasized that the growth of Ethereum is a collective effort involving diverse contributions from various groups, including research teams, client developers, application creators, educators, students, and local communities. She asserted that Ethereum’s success is attributable not to any singular ownership but to the shared investment of all involved entities.
Long-term Investments and Principles
Wang also highlighted the foundation’s commitment to long-term investments in technology areas such as zero-knowledge proofs, client diversity, and innovative explorations, which have eventually solidified into essential infrastructure. She underscored that principles like decentralization, credible neutrality, and resilience are critical to Ethereum’s integrity, cautioning that any threat to these values could undermine the entire structure of the Ethereum ecosystem.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Wang expressed her belief that Ethereum has evolved into a platform facilitating new forms of assets, identities, cultures, and collaborative practices. She anticipates a continuation of this expansion in real-world applications all the way through 2026, noting that the environment is becoming increasingly stable and inviting for new developers. In closing, she conveyed her appreciation for the community’s ongoing contributions, foreseeing that the next decade will be significantly influenced by an influx of fresh talent into the Ethereum landscape.
