Polygon co-founder Mihailo Bjelic has made waves in the crypto world by announcing his resignation from the board of the Polygon Foundation. This major development signals another turning point for blockchain projects navigating leadership changes in 2025.
The news broke on May 23 as Bjelic, an industry veteran with roots in cryptocurrency dating back to 2013, revealed via X (formerly Twitter) that he’s also winding down day-to-day operations at Polygon Labs. His statement highlights both his pride in the project’s evolution—from its early days as Matic Network to pioneering breakthroughs in zero-knowledge technology and forging high-profile brand partnerships.
From its beginnings in 2019, Polygon has rapidly climbed the ranks among proof-of-stake blockchains, becoming one of the most recognized scaling solutions atop the Ethereum network. Its transition to Polygon and adoption of DeFi tools has seen significant traction, reflected in its token POL and continuously high search volumes across the United States.
Bjelic’s decision underscores a reality many blockchain initiatives encounter as they grow: as visions mature, they may diverge among founders. Reflecting on his early days, Bjelic noted, “As projects evolve, it is natural for visions to mature and sometimes diverge. With this in mind, I can no longer contribute to Polygon to the best of my abilities.”
What does his exit mean for Polygon? Recent departures of fellow co-founders Jaynti Kanani and Anurag Arjun, who left to launch the modular blockchain project Avail, signal a generational shift. However, experts suggest Polygon remains well-positioned. With Sandeep Nailwal at the helm, Polygon continues to push boundaries in Layer-2 technology—a sector drawing increasing VC funding and mainstream brand adoption amid rising DeFi and altcoin interest (read how DeFi is reshaping altcoin demand).
Nailwal publicly praised Bjelic’s legacy: “More than a co-founder, you’re a brother. From the earliest days—whiteboards full of ideas, endless governance strategy calls—you’ve been a force behind so much of what makes Polygon what it is today.”
Bjelic’s departure is unlikely to derail Polygon’s momentum, but it highlights the sector’s dynamic nature as leadership teams and priorities evolve. Observers will watch closely to see if Polygon maintains its rapid pace of protocol upgrades and staking innovations, especially with the broader crypto space eyeing institutional adoption and regulatory clarity (discover more about staking trends).
As for Bjelic, he expressed his continued belief in Polygon’s future—and his intention to support the community from the sidelines. For investors and blockchain enthusiasts, Polygon’s next phase could reveal much about the sector’s ability to thrive amid constant reinvention.