Ethereum Community Foundation Launches to Burn ETH and Support Infrastructure

Ethereum developer Zak Cole has introduced the Ethereum Community Foundation (ECF), an independent initiative aimed at supporting Ethereum-based projects that do not issue new tokens and instead focus on burning ETH. The primary objective of the ECF is to help Ethereum maintain its long-term value by reducing the supply of ETH and supporting infrastructure that aligns with the network’s monetary policy. The announcement was made at the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in Cannes, where Cole revealed that the ECF has already secured millions in funding and will begin allocating grants immediately.

The ECF distinguishes itself with strict funding criteria. Projects must not launch new tokens, be immutable, and have ETH burning features. This approach builds on Ethereum’s post-Merge deflationary model, aiming to strengthen ETH’s role as a store of value over time. Cole emphasizes that this shift is necessary to support applications that reinforce ETH’s economic integrity, rather than rewarding protocols that dilute value through excessive token issuance.

The foundation’s first initiative is the Ethereum Validator Association (EVA), a program designed to give validators more input in protocol development. EVA will enable validators to signal their preferences using their staked ETH and fund tools and infrastructure to help them remain decentralized and secure. The goal is to rebalance the influence within the Ethereum ecosystem, ensuring that validators, who secure the network, have a stronger voice in its future.

In addition to validator support, the ECF will fund projects that bring real-world assets (RWAs) such as stocks, real estate, and bonds onto the Ethereum network. Cole views these integrations as crucial for institutional adoption and a long-term value driver for the Ethereum network. While there are already RWA projects on Ethereum, the ECF aims to accelerate adoption by providing clear and targeted funding for teams building compliant on-chain financial tools.

The foundation will also support public goods within the Ethereum ecosystem. One focus area is addressing mispriced blob space in data availability layers, a technical issue that has become more important after the Dencun upgrade. Other grants may go towards developer tools, privacy infrastructure, or improving client diversity. These projects, while not as glamorous, are essential for keeping Ethereum scalable, decentralized, and usable in the long term.

Funding decisions at the ECF will be made through a coin voting system, where ETH holders can vote on which projects receive grants. This model ensures that the broader community has a direct say in the direction of the network. All treasury actions and grant allocations will be publicly disclosed, with Cole emphasizing full transparency in both funding decisions and the progress of each funded project.

While the Ethereum Foundation continues to oversee core protocol development and research, the ECF is carving out a more focused mission: funding projects that preserve ETH’s value and bring real utility to the network. Cole clarifies that the ECF is not in conflict with the Ethereum Foundation but rather acts as a complementary body, filling specific gaps, especially around validator representation and tokenless development models.

The ECF’s approach reflects ongoing conversations within the Ethereum community about long-term sustainability. With clear goals to reduce ETH supply, avoid token inflation, empower validators, and fund projects that bring real economic use to Ethereum, the ECF represents a significant step towards aligning incentives within the Ethereum ecosystem. This initiative directly addresses concerns about dilution, centralization, and lost focus, positioning the ECF as a serious player in the Ethereum community.