The Underpayment of Ethereum's Core Developers: A Closer Look at Their Earnings

Compensation Disparity: Ethereum developers earn an average of $158,000 annually, significantly less than the $360,000 offered by traditional firms and private crypto companies, which also provide equity or token incentives.

Commitment Over Compensation: Many developers choose to stay with Ethereum despite lucrative offers elsewhere, driven by a belief in building an open financial system rather than financial gain.

Risks of Underpayment: The low compensation for Ethereum's core developers poses a risk to the network's ambitious roadmap, potentially slowing progress and allowing competitors to catch up.

Impact on Network Neutrality: The retention of developers is crucial for maintaining Ethereum's "credible neutrality," and losing talent to better-paying opportunities could jeopardize the project's stability and governance.