In light of sexual misconduct allegations, Neel Somani, the Founder of Ethereum’s Layer-2 Blockchain Eclipse, has stepped down as CEO. Vijay Chetty, the company’s Chief Growth Officer (CGO), has been named as the new CEO, assuming Somani’s former duties.
Leadership Change at Ethereum L2 Eclipse
Eclipse Labs, a software company known for its contribution to developing Ethereum’s first layer-2 solution using the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), announced the leadership transition. Vijay Chetty, with a background in Uniswap Labs, dYdX Trading, and Ripple Labs, has been appointed as the new CEO effective immediately.
Although the announcement did not delve into the specific reasons behind Somani’s departure, it emphasized Chetty’s extensive experience in the crypto industry and his instrumental role in growing Eclipse’s community and partnerships.
Following serious allegations, Hack VC, a Web3 Venture Capital firm involved in Eclipse’s funding, urged Somani to resign from his position, underscoring a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.
Community Response to Alleged Misconduct
In late April, public accusations of inappropriate behavior against Somani surfaced within the crypto community, leading to his resignation. The community rallied around individuals sharing their experiences and calling out unacceptable conduct.
We were deeply troubled to learn about the serious allegations made recently against @EclipseFND founder Neel Somani. We do not tolerate sexual harassment or misconduct in any form at Hack VC, and we hold our founders and portfolio companies to the same high standards.
— Hack VC (@hack_vc) May 16, 2024
The conversation surrounding sexual harassment in the industry continues, emphasizing the importance of addressing and preventing such behavior. Advocating for professionalism and respect in all business interactions remains a key focus for the community.