This post was originally published by Jake as an X thread.

Ethereum has been a huge part of the policy conversation for years. There are many companies active in DC that build protocols, products, and services on or around Ethereum, so a lot of their advocacy relates to Ethereum either directly or indirectly. Also, as arguably the first widely-known and most successful smart contract platform, Ethereum has been the canonical example of how public blockchains other than Bitcoin work, so it has always been front and center in policy conversations since the beginning.

But Ethereum now finds itself at a disadvantage in DC.

Unlike many competing chains, there isn't a single high-powered, big-spending organization focused solely and entirely on advancing the interests of Ethereum or ETH in DC. That's not to undersell the effectiveness of industry nonprofits or Ethereum-aligned companies with their own policy functions — many are awesome. But nonprofits have a broader mandate, and for-profit companies have to look out for their own business first and foremost.

In a sense, Ethereum's presence in the policy world has mirrored its presence in the crypto world. The Ethereum Foundation has prioritized principles of decentralization, staying above the fray while leaving the dirty work of warfare to others. But compare Ethereum to other chains with dedicated policy efforts in DC. Many of them are running tried-and-true government relations strategies, not only to benefit the entire industry, but also to gain an edge in the market.

Two examples illustrate the difference. First, take Ripple, one of the heaviest hitters in DC. Ripple has been deeply engaged in policy for years and, largely in response to the SEC, co-founded Fairshake (the crypto super PAC) in 2023. Second, take Solana, since no ETH discussion is complete without reference to SOL. The Solana Foundation is highly respected in DC: they have an amazing policy lead in Amira Valliani, are a Blockchain Association member, co-sponsor events regularly, and are part of an increasingly effective effort across the whole Solana ecosystem this year.

On policy, Ethereum is punching way below its weight.

If EF or Etherealize want to get invited to the Crypto Summit, to testify in Congress, to put pro-ETH elected officials in office, etc., then they should consider establishing a dedicated policy operation in DC. Reasonable minds may differ on how to approach that task, but it doesn't require reinventing the wheel — it just requires executing the fundamentals of government relations:

1) allocate resources: enough to make a difference, in the range of millions (or tens of millions, if serious)

2) hire a policy lead: have an expert in DC focused full-time on building a comprehensive strategy

3) select priorities: these should be doable on a reasonable timeframe and material to Ethereum's success

4) engage service providers: get leverage with law firms for policy substance, lobbying firms for engagement

5) get active in the lobby: join industry associations, support independent think tanks, attend roundtables

It's totally understandable that the Ethereum ecosystem hasn't done any of this yet. It wasn't part of EF's mission, and until very recently, it may not have been worth the effort. But times have changed, and both EF and Etherealize have a different mission now. As part of that mission, they should consider a new approach to policy.

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