Ethlabs: The New Org to Make Ethereum Win | Ansgar & Caspar
6/29/2026 · 59 min · transcript via whisper
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Key topics
— Ethlabs is a new nonprofit R&D organization launched to advance Ethereum and ETH, complementing the Ethereum Foundation's narrowed focus on core properties (censorship resistance, open source, privacy, security).
— The Ethereum Foundation has explicitly downsized its mandate and headcount; Ethlabs fills gaps in scaling, interoperability, and growth work that the EF no longer prioritizes.
— Ethlabs operates with a "startup mentality" despite nonprofit status—lean (~5 founding members, world-class talent density), responsive to market forces, and explicitly pro-markets, pro-growth, pro-ETH value accrual.
— Core workstreams include chain (protocol scaling to 3x per year, time to finality), platform (interoperability between L1 and L2s to create unified superpowers), and growth (aligning protocol development with DeFi builder needs).
— Ethlabs frames Ethereum's role as the single credible-neutral hub of global finance within 10 years; success requires a vastly more valuable ETH asset and seamless cross-chain composability without bridge risk.
— Founding team includes Ansgar Dietrichs (scaling), Caspar Schwarz-Schilling, and recognized Ethereum researchers; funded by Bitmine, Sharplink, Joe Lubin, and 50+ ecosystem contributors with 2–3 years runway.
Market & price signals
— Ethlabs co-founder Ansgar cited ETH's market position: only 8 crypto assets exceed $10 billion (excluding stablecoins); only 2 exceed $100 billion (Bitcoin and ETH). ETH peaked at ~$600 billion; a trillion-dollar asset target would be a "North Star" for the org. David acknowledged current ETH price as an attractive entry point and conceded the "deal looks cheap," though he declined to commit to rebuilding his position on air.
Actionable insights
— Ethlabs' explicit focus on ETH value accrual and "making ETH win" alongside Ethereum protocol strength signals a shift from the EF's neutral stance; stakeholders should monitor Ethlabs' roadmap and hiring announcements for concrete protocol upgrades affecting staking yield, MEV structure, and asset utility.
— The organization's accountability model—funding reviewed annually on track record—creates near-term pressure to deliver "points on the board"; early hires and workstream announcements (expected in coming weeks) will clarify whether Ethlabs can bridge the gap between builders' real-world constraints and protocol design.
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