Ethereum's $30M-a-Year Core Tab Meets a Subtraction Problem 🧮

A former Ethereum Foundation contributor is warning that Ethereum's core development ecosystem could run into a funding crunch within three to nine months. Trent VanEpps, who worked at the Ethereum Foundation from 2021 to 2026, said the network may be heading toward what he called a "slow-burning funding crisis" as key funding sources begin to dry up, describing the issue as a structural challenge rather than a short-term budget gap.

VanEpps estimated that Ethereum's core development ecosystem requires roughly $30 million per year to support client teams, researchers, coordinators, and protocol developers. He argued that figure is modest relative to the network's scale and the resources those teams maintain. Two specific changes are putting pressure on that funding, according to his account. The Ethereum Foundation introduced a treasury plan in 2025 aimed at lowering annual spending from 15% to around 5% by 2030 in order to preserve its remaining funds. Separately, the Ethereum Foundation's Client Incentive Program, a four-year initiative that helped fund client teams through staking rewards, expired in April 2026, and no replacement has been announced.

A central piece of the discussion is the Foundation's long-standing "Subtraction" philosophy, under which the organization has sought to grow Ethereum beyond itself and reduce its role over time. VanEpps said that approach successfully signaled the Foundation does not want to permanently control the network, but argued the wider ecosystem has struggled to replace many of the roles the Foundation still plays. Despite the push to step back, the Foundation continues to wield significant influence through its brand, treasury, research teams, Ethereum.org, and major events such as Devcon, along with its close association with Vitalik Buterin.

VanEpps pointed to a recent statement from Buterin saying the Ethereum Foundation was never designed to be the network's permanent steward, suggesting new institutions, funding models, and governance structures will need to emerge as the network enters its next phase. He warned that without consistent funding, Ethereum could lose experienced developers, slow work on scaling and quantum-resistance research, and risk damage to its reputation for reliability.