Ethereum enters second decade after year of foundation upheaval

Ethereum isn't the same beast it was a year ago. As the network officially crosses into its second decade, it's shaking off a bruising twelve months defined by internal friction and a complete identity shift. The Ethereum Foundation saw high-profile departures and internal restructuring, forcing the core team to defend its vision for a decentralized future. While Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin published lengthy technical roadmaps, the real noise came from Wall Street. BlackRock and Fidelity's entry into the space via spot ETFs transformed the asset from a developer's playground into a staple for institutional portfolios. This year wasn't just about code updates; it was about surviving a leadership vacuum while the world's largest asset managers knocked on the door. The transition to a more corporate-friendly era is well underway, even if the old guard is still mourning the loss of the network's early, chaotic ethos. Will the next ten years belong to the cypherpunks or the suits?