Ethereum Foundation Seeks Social Media Manager Amid Criticism

The Ethereum Foundation is taking proactive steps to reconnect with its community by hiring a social media manager. This move comes in the wake of significant criticism over the foundation’s decision to sell 300 ETH in early 2025, a choice that has fueled community distrust and calls for greater transparency.

• Ethereum Foundation hiring social media manager
• Community criticism and ETH sales
• Vitalik Buterin’s defense and focus on engagement

Josh Stark, a long-time Ethereum Foundation member, announced the job opening on X on February 20, 2025. The role is pivotal, focusing on enhancing the foundation’s social media presence across platforms like X, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The new hire will be responsible for amplifying Ethereum ecosystem updates and organizing engagement campaigns, aiming to bridge the gap between the foundation and the increasingly vocal Ethereum community.

The controversy sparked by the Ethereum Foundation’s sale of 300 ETH, totaling around $979,893, has been a hot topic. Community members, such as @WazzCrypto on X, have expressed outrage, arguing that these sales erode trust. They suggest the funds should be used to support developers or staking initiatives rather than being sold off, which they believe would better serve the ecosystem and stabilize Ethereum’s market performance.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has come to the defense of the ETH sales, citing regulatory pressures and the risk of contentious hard forks—major updates to the Ethereum network that not everyone agrees on. He acknowledges the community’s frustration but emphasizes the foundation’s focus on long-term sustainability and the need for better engagement. Buterin’s rationale comes at a time when the broader crypto industry is grappling with regulatory scrutiny and market volatility.

In addition to the social media manager hiring, the Ethereum Foundation is undergoing a leadership restructuring to enhance collaboration with developers and support the Ethereum ecosystem’s growth. This aligns with Ethereum’s core principles of decentralization and open-source innovation. A notable move was the allocation of $120 million in ETH to decentralized finance protocols like Aave in February 2025, a decision that has been well-received by the community and signals a shift towards more direct ecosystem support.

Expert opinions on Ethereum’s future vary. Tron founder Justin Sun suggests that Ethereum should prioritize user experience and staking to stabilize the ecosystem. The research firm Paradigm advocates for accelerating development to make Ethereum more accessible and competitive. Aave CEO Stani Kulechov proposes operational and financial restructuring, including cutting costs and diversifying the treasury to establish a sustainable revenue model.

As Ethereum developers agree to deploy protocol upgrades at a faster pace, the foundation’s hiring of a social media manager could be a crucial step in addressing community concerns and improving its image. With Ethereum facing the worst sentiment over the last 12 months despite having the highest mindshare, the foundation’s efforts to rebuild trust and enhance engagement will be closely watched.

Key Takeaways and Questions

• What is the purpose of hiring a social media manager?

  To enhance the Ethereum Foundation’s engagement with the community and address criticisms about its perceived disconnect from users.

• How did the community react to the Ethereum Foundation’s ETH sales?

  The community expressed outrage, arguing that the sales erode trust and should fund developers or staking initiatives instead.

• What reasons did Vitalik Buterin give for the ETH sales?

  He cited regulatory pressures and the risks associated with contentious hard forks, emphasizing the foundation’s focus on long-term sustainability.

• What are the key responsibilities of the new social media manager?

  Managing the foundation’s social media presence, amplifying Ethereum ecosystem updates, and organizing engagement campaigns.

• What qualifications are required for the social media manager position?

  Deep Ethereum knowledge, strong writing skills, and experience managing high-profile accounts with over 10,000 followers.

“We’re putting together a team. Come be part of it, as a social media manager at the @ethereumfndn.” – Josh Stark

“The sales erode trust and should fund developers or staking instead.” – @WazzCrypto

“Regulatory pressures and risks of contentious hard forks necessitate our focus on long-term sustainability and better engagement.” – Vitalik Buterin

Amidst these turbulent times, the Ethereum Foundation’s decision to hire a social media manager is a bold move to improve transparency and community engagement. While some argue that more substantial changes are needed, this step signifies the foundation’s commitment to listening and responding to its community’s needs. Whether this will be enough to restore trust and propel Ethereum forward remains a question, but it’s a start in the right direction for a community eager for change.