Ethereum’s Justin Ðrake and Dankrad Feist Exit EigenLayer

• Two Ethereum researchers have left the EigenLayer team.
• The researchers joined EigenLayer in May as its advisers.
• The move came amid concerns of a conflict of interest.

Ethereum researchers Justin Ðrake and Dankrad Feist today announced their departure from EigenLayer , a decentralized restaking protocol they joined as advisers five months ago.

Ðrake revealed his adviser role at EigenFoundation on May 19, noting that it carried a “significant” EIGEN token incentive vested over three years and worth “millions of dollars.” Feist followed in Ðrake’s footsteps a few days later, announcing his adviser role at the protocol on the “same conditions” as his colleague on May 21.

Ðrake and Feist’s Departure from EigenLayer

In a lengthy X post on November 2, Ðrake said he dropped the EigenLayer advisorship role in September to double down on neutrality and focus on Layer 1 research and coordination.

“In September I let go of the EigenFoundation advisors. I want to apologise to the Ethereum community and EF colleagues for the drama I caused. In hindsight it was a bad move for me to make.” Ðrake wrote.

Noting that public perception was key and that impacting meaningful change on Ethereum hinged on legitimacy, Ðrake asserted that he would turn down all advisorship, angel investment, and security council offers as a personal policy. The researcher claimed the decision transcended the recent EF-wide conflict of interest policy and wasn’t forced down on him. “I want to signal a commitment to neutrality,” he added.

Additionally, Ðrake left the ultra-sound team, leaving Alex, Niclas, and Christian in charge of the project.

Feist issued his EigenLayer resignation notice at the same time as Ðrake on Saturday, noting that the perception of his previous advisorship role at the protocol made it difficult to reconcile with his position as an Ethereum researcher.

Feist said the move would help him focus on Danksharding and other important projects.

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