Abbas Khan, a former member of the Ethereum Foundation (EF), has sparked a discussion within the blockchain ecosystem regarding the responsibilities of project founders. Khan emphasized that while foundations provide a framework, the ultimate success of decentralized applications and protocols depends on the founders’ ability to achieve product-market fit (PMF) independently. These remarks highlight a shift in expectations for developers building on the Ethereum blockchain, suggesting that institutional support should be viewed as a secondary resource rather than a primary driver of growth.
The Limits of Foundation Support
According to Khan, a common misconception among developers is that a foundation’s endorsement or social media promotion can substitute for a robust distribution strategy. He noted that high-performing founders approach the EF with specific, limited requests because they have already identified their project's trajectory and internal weaknesses. In contrast, less successful teams often treat official ecosystem announcements as a "core plan" for user acquisition.
- Foundations cannot engineer Product-Market Fit for external teams.
- Success relies on solving distribution challenges internally.
- Over-reliance on ecosystem grants or social mentions often leads to unsustainable growth.
No foundation can make you successful. Building a good product, solving distribution issues, and finding PMF are all up to you.
Evolution of the Ethereum Ecosystem
Khan also addressed historical criticisms regarding the Ethereum Foundation’s lack of a dedicated founder support team. He admitted that these critiques were valid and that such a function was missing for a significant period. This institutional gap contributed to the challenges faced by early-stage projects. However, he maintained that even with improved support structures, the fundamental burden of innovation and market adaptation remains with the individual development teams.
The evolving perspective on foundation roles reflects a broader trend in the Web3 industry as it matures. As of August 2026, many Layer-1 and Layer-2 ecosystems are re-evaluating their grant programs to prioritize self-sustaining projects. For the Ethereum community, this serves as a reminder that while the underlying infrastructure is decentralized, the responsibility for commercial and technical viability is equally distributed among those who build upon it.
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