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ToggleFarewell to 'Week in Ethereum'
The beloved Ethereum developer and enthusiast newsletter, 'Week in Ethereum' (WiE), has officially announced its closure. In an emotional farewell message, the newsletter's founder, Evan Van Ness, cited declining support and an unsustainable business model as the reasons behind this decision.
Ethereum Foundation Terminates Support
Van Ness revealed that as early as early 2024, his conversations with the Ethereum Foundation (EF) leadership had hinted at the impending demise of the newsletter. While the EF's financial support for WiE has been minimal over the years, the foundation ultimately decided to withdraw even this symbolic support. This move sends a clear message: the EF no longer sees value in the continuation of WiE.
Van Ness wrote: "In the remaining time of 2024, WiE received a pitiful amount of financial support from the Ethereum Foundation, but the EF leadership chose to cut off this negligible support, knowing full well that WiE would immediately cease to exist as a result. There is no clearer signal than the EF stopping its support to tell me that it's time for WiE to end."
Profound Impact on the Ethereum Community
While WiE is coming to an end, its impact on the Ethereum ecosystem cannot be overstated. Over the years, this newsletter has provided crucial resources for developers seeking to learn Solidity or improve their blockchain security skills. Van Ness recalled that many developers have expressed gratitude to him at conferences, stating that the newsletter played a pivotal role in their careers.
Beyond education and information dissemination, WiE has also ignited passion for Ethereum. He stated, "They often mentioned that this newsletter made them decide to buy ETH." At its peak, the newsletter was considered the go-to source for professional Ethereum news.
Challenges in Establishing a Sustainable Business Model
The demise of WiE also reflects the broader challenges in maintaining independent news reporting in the cryptocurrency space. Van Ness candidly admitted that the newsletter failed to establish a sustainable business model, with difficulties in securing advertising and sponsorships being a key factor.
He explained, "Advertising and sponsorships are hard to attract because marketing managers don't care about developers." Additionally, his high standards for content production made it overly time-consuming to generate consistent profitability. Ultimately, the effort required to sustain the newsletter far outweighed its financial viability.
Deeply Grateful to Supporters
In his final farewell, Van Ness expressed gratitude to all those who have contributed to the newsletter's success over the years: "Thank you to those who have sponsored, retweeted, or liked. I will remember these things, and they mean a great deal to me."
While this chapter of 'Week in Ethereum' has come to a close, its contributions to the Ethereum community and its role in driving blockchain education will be long remembered.
What's Next for Evan Van Ness?
Although Van Ness did not explicitly reveal his future plans, it can be expected that his involvement in the Ethereum ecosystem and the blockchain space is far from over. For now, the Ethereum community bids farewell to the newsletter that has inspired and educated countless individuals.
Goodbye, 'Week in Ethereum'!
Risk Disclaimer
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