Scroll DAO, the governance body for Ethereum Layer 2 project Scroll, has halted operations after several leaders stepped down and uncertainty grew about its future.
During a recent delegate call, community member Olimpio confirmed that governance activities would be put on hold. Proposals are still visible on the platform, but there is no guidance on how they will be addressed.
Scroll DAO Loses Key Leader Eugene Chen
The disruption follows the resignation of Eugene Chen, a central figure in the DAO’s leadership. In his farewell note, Chen said he was leaving due to “a recent desire to minimize governance at Scroll” and disagreements with leadership. He explained that he could not “in good faith stay at Scroll” under the current strategy.
Chen’s departure is set for September 30, though he said he will continue supporting the community until then.
“Right now, there is no clear direction for governance at Scroll. But I cannot support a mandate that reduces governance and slows or halts progressive decentralization.”
Eugene Chen
Another governance member, Jamilya K, voiced surprise at the unfolding turmoil, saying she was still trying to process the developments. She asked community members to remain patient until the next scheduled call, where more clarity is expected.
“I entered this space in 2016 because I believed it represented resistance to the status quo.”
Jamilya K
Scroll DAO Faces Governance Uncertainty
The pause has left several active proposals in limbo, including plans for a governance council, contribution recognition for the May–December 2025 cycle, a treasury management request for proposal, and a timelock test. Delegates debated whether these items should still be pursued given the suspension.
Scroll co-founder Haichen Shen told delegates that governance is being “redesigned,” but offered no clear timeline or roadmap. Another team member, Raza, stressed the importance of describing the move as a “pause” rather than a “stop,” reflecting uncertainty over whether governance will return in its current form.
Delegates also noted that leadership repeatedly referred to governance as an “experiment,” hinting at a potential shift toward a more centralized or restructured model. However, there was little clarity on what process will follow or how much decision-making power the community will keep.
