Polygon Labs Co-founder Mihailo Bjelic Announces Departure, Sandeep Nailwal Pays Tribute

Mihailo Bjelic, co-founder of the Ethereum Layer 2 solution Polygon, recently announced his departure from the blockchain project. In response to the move, fellow co-founder Sandeep Nailwal paid a warm tribute to Bjelic, acknowledging his invaluable contributions to the platform.

Co-founder of the Ethereum Layer 2 solution Polygon, Mihailo Bjelic, is stepping down from the blockchain project, the executive announced Tuesday.

In response to the move, fellow co-founder Sandeep Nailwal paid a warm tribute to Bjelic, acknowledging his invaluable contributions to the platform.

“More than a co-founder, you’re a brother,” said Nailwal.

Highlighting Bjelic’s influence on the blockchain platform, Nailwal posited that the former has been “a force behind so much of what makes Polygon what it is today.”

Further, Nailwal praised Bjelic’s clarity of thought and deep conviction, which had significantly shaped Polygon. The co-founder noted that Bjelic’s contributions would have a lasting impact beyond his individual role and expressed his support, saying they would always cheer for him. He concluded his heartfelt tribute with a poignant remark- “Brother from another mother.”

Earlier today, Bjelic shared an X post, announcing his decision to step down from the board of the non-profit arm of Polygon, the 'Polygon Foundation.'

However, he will no longer be involved in the “day-to-day involvement with the for-profit arm, Polygon Labs.”

The move comes as the founders' vision for the project has begun to diverge, marking a natural progression as the project evolves and matures, he added.

However, Bjelic's passion for crypto remains, and he is open to continuing his journey in the industry.

"As projects evolve and mature, it is natural for visions to evolve, and sometimes diverge. With this in mind, I can no longer contribute to Polygon to the best of my abilities," Bjelic stated.

He added, "That said, I remain confident that Polygon leadership is committed to the success of the project. I’ll always be cheering from the sidelines, and supporting however and whenever I can."

This news comes amid talks surrounding Elon Musk's potential departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The post sparked widespread reactions from the members of the crypto community, with many expressing their sadness over Bjelic's departure.

Reacting to the news, Leon Stern, head of marketing at Polygon, stated, "We are going to miss you, Mihailo. Thanks for everything you’ve done for Polygon and best of luck!"

Another prominent blockchain figure, Maggie Shefi, addressed Bjelic as a "world class leader and builder."

Aave-chan Initiative founder Marc Zella labeled Bjelic's resignation as a "Big L" for the company, referring to him as one among the "few Elite asset[s]" that the company had.

This development comes amid a significant crypto market correction that followed President Donald Trump's 50% tariffs on the European Union.

At press time, the total market cap stands at $3.41 trillion, showing a 2.76% decrease over the past 24 hours. Nonetheless, the crypto market is still demonstrating resilience, with a $29.97 billion trading volume over the same period.