A proposal to create a $1 billion organization dedicated to Ethereum's financial growth has surfaced, putting pressure on the Ethereum Foundation to change its approach. The idea is gaining traction among some community members who want a sharper focus on price and market value. But critics say it risks fragmenting the ecosystem and creating conflicting priorities.
What's being proposed
The plan calls for a separate entity with its own treasury — roughly $1 billion — tasked with driving Ethereum's market performance and financial adoption. Supporters argue the Ethereum Foundation, traditionally focused on research, development, and grants, hasn't done enough to boost the network's economic standing. They want a group that can aggressively court institutional capital, push for mainstream financial products, and actively manage Ethereum's brand as an asset.
The fragmentation risk
Not everyone is on board. A new price-first organization could pull resources, talent, and attention away from the foundation's core work. The worry is that two bodies with overlapping but divergent goals would end up stepping on each other. One source described it as “a recipe for infighting” — though the exact quote isn't public. What is clear: the Ethereum ecosystem has avoided a single, profit-driven leadership structure until now. This proposal would be a break from that tradition.
Ethereum Foundation under pressure
The foundation hasn't formally responded. But the fact that the proposal is being discussed openly shows a growing dissatisfaction with the status quo. The foundation has long been criticized for being too academic and slow to act on market dynamics. A $1 billion rival — or partner — would force it to either adapt or risk irrelevance in the parts of crypto that care most about price.
What happens next
The proposal is still in its early stages. No formal vote or funding mechanism has been announced. But the conversation is happening now, and it's not going away. The Ethereum Foundation will have to decide whether to engage, counter, or let the idea develop on its own. Either way, Ethereum's governance is about to get a lot more complicated.
