Ethereum Foundation creates advisory group to maintain blockchain values

On Feb 28, 2025, the Ethereum Foundation (EF) has set up a new advisory group called the Silviculture Society to help maintain the core values of Ethereum.

This group consists of experts from outside the foundation who will offer informal advice on important issues.

The foundation wants to ensure that Ethereum remains open-source, private, secure, and resistant to censorship.

EF believes that the success of Ethereum depends on dedicated developers who follow these principles while building on the platform.

Ethereum Foundation on X: "The EF Silviculture Society: a loose collection of individuals from outside the Foundation who provide informal counsel to the EF in tending to the (dark or otherwise) forests in the infinite garden of Ethereum, to make sure we sustain the core values of open source, privacy

Vitalik Buterin’s Concern About Crypto’s Direction

The creation of this advisory group comes after Ethereum’s co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, expressed concern about the crypto industry's shift towards gambling.

On February 20, Buterin said that Ethereum was criticized for not supporting blockchain-based casinos.

He argued that some people now see gambling-friendly blockchains as better than Ethereum. Buterin made it clear that if the community abandoned its core values, he would lose interest in the project.

However, he also noted that his offline conversations reassured him that Ethereum’s values still matter to many people.

Ethereum Foundation Supports Tornado Cash Developer

Staying true to its values, the Ethereum Foundation recently donated $1.25 million to support the legal defense of Tornado Cash developer Alexey Pertsev.

Tornado Cash is a privacy-focused tool that allows users to send anonymous transactions on Ethereum.

On February 26, EF stated that privacy is a fundamental right and writing code should not be considered a crime. In response, Pertsev thanked the foundation, saying the donation was a great help in preparing his legal appeal.

The Role of the Silviculture Society

The Silviculture Society is expected to guide the Ethereum Foundation and ensure the network remains rooted in its original principles.

The foundation describes Ethereum as an “infinite garden” that thrives when built on strong ethical values. By forming this advisory group, EF hopes to sustain Ethereum’s long-term success while staying true to its mission.

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