BroadChain has learned that on March 13, 2026, the Ethereum Foundation (EF) Board of Directors released the "EF Mandate." This document serves as a charter, a declaration, and a guiding action plan for the Foundation itself.
The mandate is directed first and foremost at the Ethereum Foundation. It clarifies the Foundation's purpose, its decision-making principles, and the essential commitments it must uphold—and the boundaries it must never cross—in fulfilling its mission.
At the same time, this document tells a story of a journey from origin to the stars. It speaks not only to the Ethereum ecosystem but to the broader technology community and to friends and partners worldwide, including future allies yet to be met. Ethereum began with a question: What if digital life could be shared while still belonging entirely to its users?
It started as a protocol concept, evolved into a movement, and ultimately became a promise: that free and open systems can safeguard, enrich, and expand human freedom; that coordination can respect and even deepen individual sovereignty; and that trust can be sustained through code, culture, and shared purpose.
This promise has drawn in countless developers, participants, and supporters.
Ethereum enables people to imagine a digital world where participation doesn't require surrendering control. In this world, users retain authority over their assets, act autonomously, and collaborate with others—all while maintaining ultimate control over their assets, identities, and choices. Ethereum provides an open space to build an alternative future.
The EF Mandate explicitly identifies the core values essential for protecting Ethereum's foundational purpose: user self-sovereignty.
As part of the Ethereum Foundation, its team must always remember that Ethereum must remain Censorship-Resistant, Open Source, Private, and Secure (CROPS). Its use for self-sovereignty must resist exploitation and deliver seamless experiences. These conditions define Ethereum's value—making it worth building, using, and defending. Convenience can never justify sacrificing these core values; without them, everything loses meaning.
Only on this solid foundation can Ethereum's growth become unstoppable and its adoption truly widespread.
The Ethereum Foundation was once Ethereum's original steward, but today it is merely one among many. The Foundation hopes that even after it steps back, these principles will endure, independent of any single organization.
Ethereum was never meant to revolve solely around the Foundation, nor was its story ever meant to conclude. Over time, Ethereum has become an integral part of a much broader world—what the Foundation calls the "Infinite Garden." This is an ever-expanding ecosystem of people, projects, communities, and institutions, all dedicated to preserving the system's openness, privacy, resilience, humanity, and freedom.
The world in which this garden exists is changing rapidly. Life increasingly unfolds within systems that are opaque, difficult to exit, and often impossible to leave. Political tensions are intensifying, and AI-infused environments are becoming ubiquitous. Many systems show declining accountability to their users. In such a world, Ethereum's original promise is more vital than ever.
Why release this mandate now? Because technological advancement and societal conditions have matured to a point where Ethereum—as a technology built for the future—carries unprecedented urgency. As the system matures, its culture can no longer remain implicit. Values historically passed down through habits, instincts, and informal understanding must now be articulated explicitly in writing. Making them explicit is a hallmark of mature construction and shared stewardship—a sign of responsible guardianship.
The Ethereum Foundation is neither Ethereum's parent, ruler, nor ultimate authority. Its role is stewardship—helping Ethereum uphold its original promise. The EF Mandate is the tangible outcome of clarifying that responsibility.
The Mandate is now hosted on the "World Computer," freely accessible for anyone to read, reinterpret, and remix—permanently open. The Foundation has published an official version for internal use, but it imposes no obligations on external parties.
This step aims to clarify the Foundation's role and guiding principles, sending a public signal both within the Ethereum community and to the wider circle of stewards.
The Ethereum Foundation thanks pcaversaccio, Tim Clancy, Lefteris, mashbean, and many others for their suggestions and feedback, and extends gratitude to Tomo Saito and Shiro for their artistic interpretation of the text.
The Ethereum Foundation Board of Directors affirms its enduring commitment to safeguarding this mission—with the deepest respect and love.