Former Ethereum Foundation employee sues over firing

Kayleen Fulton, a former Ethereum Foundation employee, has sued the foundation and five other defendants in federal court in Colorado, alleging that she was fired in retaliation for opposing an internal mandate and after disclosing an ovarian cancer diagnosis. The complaint alleges wrongful termination, disability discrimination and violations related to medical leave. The claims have not been adjudicated.

Fulton says she told senior management about her diagnosis on March 24, 2026, and was fired on April 6. She alleges the dismissal came after she helped organize a letter opposing a requirement that employees personally endorse the foundation’s Mandate or face termination. The letter was signed by 53 employees, according to the complaint, which says Fulton and another organizer were dismissed.

The lawsuit names six defendants: the Ethereum Foundation’s Swiss entity, Stiftung Ethereum; its Singapore affiliate, Ethereum Asia Pacific Ltd.; executive Bastian Aue; Ethereum cofounder Vitalik Buterin; and human-resources service providers Lightsource HR Global LLC and Vensure Employer Services Inc. Fulton previously led the foundation’s Protocol Support team.