Why does the Ethereum Foundation need a mandate at all?

As Ethereum’s ecosystem has grown, so has ambiguity around the EF’s authority. The mandate draws a clear line between stewardship and control - addressing long-standing tension about how much influence a single nonprofit should hold over a decentralized network.

What does CROPS stand for?

CROPS stands for Censorship resistance, Open source and free, Privacy, and Security - four properties the EF says must remain central to all Ethereum development decisions.

Why was the mandate released now?

The document follows the resignation of one of the foundation’s co-executive directors and ongoing changes to Ethereum’s roadmap, making a clear public statement of purpose especially timely.

Does this give the Ethereum Foundation more control over the network?

The opposite. The mandate explicitly frames the EF as a steward rather than an authority, and commits to reducing its relative influence as the ecosystem becomes more self-sufficient.

What is the “infinite garden” concept?

It is the EF’s metaphor for a growing, decentralized ecosystem of builders, communities, and institutions working to keep digital infrastructure open and resilient - with Ethereum as one pillar of that broader effort.

Delta Exchange Blog

Educational

A Quick Update on the Ethereum Foundation’s New Mandate

Shubham Goyal

May 1, 2026