Former contributor warns Ethereum core dev funding could dry up by 2025

Ethereum’s back-end stability is staring down a ticking clock. Former Ethereum Foundation contributor Hudson Jameson, citing warnings from researcher VanEpps, says the ecosystem could hit a severe funding crunch for core development within three to nine months. The alarm follows the expiration of the Check-in Protocol (CIP), a mechanism that previously helped sustain the developers keeping the lights on. While the network’s market cap sits in the hundreds of billions, the actual cash flow for the people writing the code isn't guaranteed. If new grants or funding vehicles don't materialize by the first half of next year, the protocol's maintenance could stall. It’s a stark reminder that even the most decentralised giants aren't immune to basic payroll problems. Will the community rally to patch this financial hole before the talent starts looking for the exit?