Monad Launches Independent Foundation to Boost Blockchain Adoption

Monad, a blockchain project compatible with Ethereum’s virtual machine, has launched the Monad Foundation.

This foundation will be an independent organization dedicated to supporting the growth and centralization of the Monad Protocol. The Monad Foundation will oversee core activities aimed at expanding the protocol’s ecosystem.

The focus is on facilitating validator-led governance, supporting community-led improvement suggestions, and providing resources such as developer documentation. Additionally, the Foundation will also engage in ecosystem development, marketing and consultancy services to promote the adoption of the Monad blockchain.

Rumors abound, but the creation of the foundation leads to further speculation that a token launch is coming.

Introducing the Monad Foundation.

We are excited to announce the establishment of the Monad Foundation, an important step towards further centralization of the Monad Protocol and Ecosystem. The Foundation exists to contribute to the growth and adoption of the Monad Protocol…

— Monad ⨀ (@monad_xyz) December 16, 2024

Validators are organizations or individuals who secure blockchain networks by verifying and recording transactions. Governance of decentralized blockchains often relies on validators making decisions about network upgrades or rule changes.

Monad Foundation’s involvement aims to make these processes transparent and community-focused.

The foundation is led by Keone Hon and Eunice Giarta. Many team members from Monad Labs will transition to Monad Foundation, particularly those working in business development, ecosystem growth, community engagement, marketing and developer relations.

Monad Labs will become Category Labs

Monad Labs will continue to focus on software development and research for the Monad blockchain while the Foundation assumes governance and ecosystem-related responsibilities. According to the company’s announcement, Monad Labs will operate under the name Category Labs in the future, with James Hunsaker taking over as CEO.

By sharing responsibilities between the Foundation and Category Laboratories, Monad aims to create a structure that balances independent community participation with technical development. The changes reflect a common trend in blockchain projects where independent foundations manage governance and outreach, while separate entities manage key technological developments.

Monad’s EVM compatibility allows developers to build applications on its blockchain using familiar tools from Ethereum (ETH). This feature is expected to make the network accessible to a wide range of developers. With the establishment of the Foundation, Monad hopes to accelerate adoption and innovation in its ecosystem.