{"id":"dankrad-feist","title":"Dankrad Feist","content":"**Dankrad Feist** is a German researcher and developer in the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) industry, recognized for his significant contributions to the [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) protocol's scaling solutions. He is a co-creator of the scaling design known as [Danksharding](https://iq.wiki/wiki/danksharding) and worked as a researcher at the [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) [Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/foundation) from 2018 until 2025, when he joined the Layer 1 project [Tempo](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tempo). [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-vVQSqa2OK6) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-K2cfiNgRZ7)\n\n## Career\n\n### Ethereum Foundation (2018–2025)\n\nFeist joined the [Ethereum Foundation (EF)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum-foundation-ef) as a part-time researcher in 2018, later transitioning to a full-time role in 2019. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-vVQSqa2OK6) [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-hbREEz7Jos) During his tenure, he became a central figure in the research and development of Ethereum's scaling roadmap. His work focused on data availability, consensus mechanisms, and [sharding](https://iq.wiki/wiki/sharding), which is a method of splitting a database to spread the computational and storage workload. In early 2025, during a leadership reorganization within the foundation, Feist was appointed as a Strategic Advisor, with a focus on [Layer 1](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-1) scaling and user experience improvements. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-vVQSqa2OK6)\n\nOn October 17, 2025, Feist announced his departure from his full-time position at the E[thereum Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum-foundation-ef). However, he maintained a connection to the organization, transitioning to a role as a Research Advisor to the EF's Protocol Cluster. In this advisory capacity, his work continues to focus on key initiatives, including scaling the base layer (L1), scaling data availability through [blobs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blobs), and enhancing user experience. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-hbREEz7Jos)\n\n### Tempo (2025–Present)\n\nUpon leaving his full-time role at the [Ethereum Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum-foundation-ef) in October 2025, Feist joined [Tempo](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tempo), a new [Layer 1 ](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-1)[blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) project. [Tempo](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tempo) is described as a [stablecoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin)-focused, EVM-compatible network optimized for high-scale, real-world financial applications such as e-commerce, remittances, and payroll. The project was incubated by the financial technology company Stripe and the venture capital firm [Paradigm](https://iq.wiki/wiki/paradigm). [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-vVQSqa2OK6) [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-Mw22U1xxvD)\n\nFeist stated his motivation for joining was his belief that the [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) industry had reached a \"turning point\" where its early promise of facilitating everyday payments was finally achievable. In his announcement, he said, \"While payments used to be front and center in the early days of crypto, I see a special opportunity to finally achieve this ambitious goal with relentless execution on both the technical and distribution fronts.\" [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-vVQSqa2OK6) He characterized [Tempo](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tempo) as a complementary platform to [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum), not a direct competitor, noting that both projects are built with the same \"permissionless ideals in mind.\" He also suggested that Tempo's open-source technology could eventually be integrated back into [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum), benefiting the broader ecosystem. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-hbREEz7Jos)\n\n## Major Works and Proposals\n\n### Danksharding and Proto-Danksharding\n\nFeist is best known as a co-creator of \"[Danksharding](https://iq.wiki/wiki/danksharding),\" a [sharding](https://iq.wiki/wiki/sharding) design for [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) named after him. The primary goal of [Danksharding](https://iq.wiki/wiki/danksharding) is to significantly improve the scalability of Layer 2 rollups by creating a dedicated and cost-effective space for data availability on the [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) [mainnet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/mainnet). This is achieved by introducing \"data [blobs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blobs),\" which are large, temporary packets of data that can be posted to the network more cheaply than using permanent contract storage (calldata). [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-vVQSqa2OK6)\n\nA precursor to the full implementation of [Danksharding](https://iq.wiki/wiki/danksharding) is known as Proto-Danksharding, which was implemented via [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) Improvement Proposal (EIP) 4844. Feist's earlier work was foundational to this development. On December 29, 2021, he proposed a new, simplified [sharding](https://iq.wiki/wiki/sharding) design where all shard blocks in a single slot would be proposed together with the main beacon [block](https://iq.wiki/wiki/block). He described this as a \"major simplification\" of the [sharding](https://iq.wiki/wiki/sharding) architecture, which laid the groundwork for the data blob transaction type introduced in Proto-Danksharding. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-yYIjfpGlPv)\n\n### EIP-7938: L1 Gas Limit Increase\n\nOn April 30, 2025, Feist introduced EIP-7938, a proposal titled \"Exponential Gas Limit Increase via Default Client Voting Behavior.\" The proposal outlined a plan to scale Ethereum's Layer 1 transaction capacity by a factor of 100 over a period of four years. The EIP suggested an unconventional method to systematically increase the network's [gas](https://iq.wiki/wiki/gas) limit, which dictates the amount of computation that can be included in a single [block](https://iq.wiki/wiki/block). Feist acknowledged that the approach was unorthodox but argued it was necessary to overcome what he perceived as stagnation in Ethereum's development process and to provide a long-term capacity plan for developers building on the network. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-yYIjfpGlPv)\n\n## Public Commentary\n\n### Ethereum Development and Roadmap\n\nFeist has been an outspoken commentator on the pace and direction of [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum)'s core development. On January 20, 2025, he expressed strong criticism of the protocol's upgrade process, stating, \"The current process of upgrading [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) IS BROKEN.\" He argued that for developers to commit to building on the platform, they require long-term commitments to capacity and a more ambitious five-year plan. He asserted that the existing roadmap was \"way too unambitious\" and that [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) needed to be more aggressive in its scaling efforts to succeed. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-yYIjfpGlPv)\n\n### Economic Security and Competing Protocols\n\nFeist has also commented on the technical and economic models of other [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) protocols. On April 20, 2025, he criticized the [staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking) mechanism of the [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) network for its lack of a \"slashing\" penalty, a process where validators lose a portion of their staked tokens for malicious behavior or severe negligence. He stated, \"It's very ironic to call it 'staking' when there is no slashing. What's at stake? [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) has close to zero economic security at the moment.\" His comments highlighted his belief in the necessity of strong economic penalties to secure a proof-of-stake network. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-yYIjfpGlPv)\n\n### Layer 2 and Data Availability\n\nA consistent theme in Feist's public commentary is the importance of a robust [Layer 2](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-2) ecosystem supported by a secure and inexpensive data availability layer on [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum). In July 2023, he voiced support for the [Celo](https://iq.wiki/wiki/celo) blockchain's proposal to migrate from an independent Layer 1 to an [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) Layer 2 solution. He used the example to emphasize the urgent need for [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) to provide \"native data availability asap\" to better support such chains and foster a thriving ecosystem of rollups. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-yYIjfpGlPv)\n\n## Controversies\n\n### EigenLayer Advisory Role\n\nIn late 2024, Feist and fellow [Ethereum Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum-foundation-ef) researcher Justin Drake accepted advisory positions at [EigenLayer](https://iq.wiki/wiki/eigenlayer), an [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) restaking protocol. The appointments drew criticism from some members of the [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) community, who raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest. The core issue was that researchers responsible for shaping Ethereum's neutral base protocol were simultaneously advising a commercial project built on top of it, which could influence protocol design decisions in favor of that project. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-vVQSqa2OK6) [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-Mw22U1xxvD)\n\nIn response to the community feedback, Feist resigned from the advisory role on November 2, 2024. He issued a public apology, stating, \"While I believe that the role was negociated in good faith and with the aim of making sure that [Eigenlayer](https://iq.wiki/wiki/eigenlayer) is well aligned with [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum), I understand that the perception of this relationship has been different...\" Both he and Drake pledged to decline similar offers in the future to avoid such conflicts. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-yYIjfpGlPv)\n\n## Recognition\n\nUpon the announcement of Feist's departure from his full-time role at the [Ethereum Foundation](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum-foundation-ef), [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) co-founder [Vitalik Buterin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/vitalik-buterin) publicly praised his work. Buterin stated, \"Dankrad has been an excellent researcher and has made immensely valuable contributions to the [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) that we know and love today, including [Danksharding](https://iq.wiki/wiki/danksharding), [consensus](https://iq.wiki/wiki/consensus-mechanism) research, and much more. Wishing him luck in his new efforts.\" [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-vVQSqa2OK6)","summary":"Dankrad Feist is a blockchain researcher known for his work on Ethereum's scaling solutions, including co-creating Danksharding. A former researcher at the Ethereum Foundation, he joined the Layer 1 project Tempo in October 2025.","images":[{"id":"QmZDx88aVTKpE5LzHR3y59PYMPfGp6Vg8P5WkM2wqnm3mk","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"PeopleInDeFi"},{"id":"Developers"}],"media":[{"id":"QmQJwB7dVZDZAHGAExvgakTuatN4zVcr54UpjLt4YWdPo6","type":"GALLERY","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmaCQyeQasVUwDUp7Gn8AMiDps3uQy9LuafE26NQWssSDB","type":"GALLERY","source":"IPFS_IMG"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[\n  {\n    \"id\": \"vVQSqa2OK6\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.theblock.co/post/375126/prominent-ethereum-developer-dankrad-feist-departs-ef-to-join-stablecoin-focused-layer-1-tempo\",\n    \"description\": \"The Block coverage of Feist's career transition\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1760716007410\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"K2cfiNgRZ7\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560605019712\",\n    \"description\": \"Bitget report on Feist's move to Tempo\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1760716007410\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"hbREEz7Jos\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.bankless.com/read/news/ethereum-foundationresearcher-dankrad-feist-joins-stripe-backed-layer-1-tempo\",\n    \"description\": \"Bankless article on Feist's career move\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1760716007410\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"Mw22U1xxvD\",\n    \"url\": \"https://blockworks.co/news/dankrad-feist-joins-tempo\",\n    \"description\": \"Blockworks report on Tempo's focus\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1760716007410\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"yYIjfpGlPv\",\n    \"url\": \"https://x.com/dankrad\",\n    \"description\": \"Analysis of Feist's technical proposals from his social media\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1760716007410\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"event-joined-tempo-link\",\n    \"description\": \"Event link\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.bankless.com/read/news/ethereum-foundationresearcher-dankrad-feist-joins-stripe-backed-layer-1-tempo\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1760716007840\n  }\n]"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/dankrad"},{"id":"website","value":"https://dankradfeist.de"},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"feat(wiki): Create article for Dankrad Feist, Ethereum researcher and Danksharding co-creator.\""}],"events":[{"id":"0abdaaad-e4ba-42c1-aaed-29331d8cc8c7","date":"2018-01","title":"Joined Ethereum Foundation","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Joined the Ethereum Foundation as a researcher, focusing on core protocol improvements, consensus mechanisms, and scaling solutions for the Ethereum network.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"d9c817d3-ec9f-4b5d-91a7-ba48275ba264","date":"2021-12","title":"Proposed Simplified Sharding Design","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Proposed a new, simplified sharding design where shard blocks are proposed with the beacon block, laying the groundwork for Proto-Danksharding.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"efff65d7-20a5-4712-9e2a-4f2c497b0f86","date":"2024-11","title":"Resigned as EigenLayer Advisor","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Announced his resignation from an advisory role at EigenLayer, citing concerns over the public perception of the relationship and potential conflicts of interest.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"9b302584-217b-4659-9095-7abb4a22448b","date":"2025-10","title":"Joined Tempo","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Departed from his full-time role at the Ethereum Foundation to join Tempo, a new Layer 1 blockchain focused on payments, while retaining an advisory role at the EF.","link":"https://www.bankless.com/read/news/ethereum-foundationresearcher-dankrad-feist-joins-stripe-backed-layer-1-tempo","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":[],"founders":[],"speakers":[]},"operator":{"id":"0xbc74F7Beea348c97350e4DBc49227A5Ee7d27D3e"}}