Ethereum Foundation researchers Dankrad Feist and Justin Drake have stepped down from their advisory roles at EigenLayer, following concerns about potential conflicts of interest that arose within the Ethereum community.

EigenLayer is recognized as a leading platform in the cryptocurrency space, facilitating various crypto applications to "borrow" Ethereum’s security via an innovative method known as "restaking."

In a revealing statement, Drake and Feist, both highly regarded figures at the non-profit Ethereum Foundation, had acknowledged their roles with EigenLayer earlier in the year. They were compensated with a notable amount of EIGEN tokens in exchange for their guidance on the project’s direction.

The discourse surrounding these compensations indicated significant rifts within the Ethereum community regarding norms about conflict of interest management.

Recently, after reflecting on the situation, both researchers disclosed their resignations from the EigenLayer advisory board. "While I believe that the role was negotiated in good faith... I understand that the perception of this relationship has been different," Feist noted, acknowledging the discord it sparked within the community.

Additionally, Drake expressed regret, announcing he had effectively stepped down from his position. "In hindsight, it was a bad move for me to make," he stated, emphasizing his commitment to avoid such engagements in the future to maintain neutrality.

This decision highlights the ongoing conversations about ethical standards and the responsible handling of conflicts of interest within the rapidly evolving blockchain space.