Polygon Co-Founder Mihailo Bjelic Exits Project After Seven Years

Mihailo Bjelic, one of the driving forces behind Ethereum Layer 2 giant Polygon, has announced his departure from the project he helped shape since its inception in 2017.

In a statement shared on social media, Bjelic reflected on the natural evolution of blockchain ventures, noting that diverging visions made it difficult for him to continue contributing meaningfully. While stepping down from both Polygon Labs and the foundation board, he emphasized his continued support for the project and its leadership.

Bjelic was part of the original founding team behind what was first launched as Matic Network, alongside Jaynti Kanani, Sandeep Nailwal, and Anurag Arjun. Over the years, Polygon emerged as a leader in Ethereum scaling solutions, pioneering developments in zero-knowledge proofs and proof-of-stake technologies.

READ MORE:

How Bitcoin Hyper’s Four Technical Pillars Make BTC Practical for Everyday Use And Raised $200,000

His exit follows earlier departures by Kanani and Arjun, marking a generational shift in leadership at the protocol. Still, the project continues its evolution under the Polygon 2.0 roadmap, which includes a native token upgrade from MATIC to POL and an expanded role for the token across the network’s staking and infrastructure layers.

Nailwal, now the most prominent co-founder still involved, paid tribute to Bjelic, recalling years of collaboration and calling him “more than a co-founder—a brother.”

As Polygon moves forward, Bjelic joins a growing list of early crypto pioneers stepping aside while cheering on the ecosystems they helped bring to life.

Alexander Stefanov

With over 8 years of experience in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, Alexander is a seasoned content creator and market analyst dedicated to making digital assets more accessible and understandable. He specializes in breaking down complex crypto trends, analyzing market movements, and producing insightful content aimed at educating both newcomers and seasoned investors. Alexander has built a reputation for delivering timely and accurate analysis, while keeping a close eye on regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and macroeconomic trends that shape the future of digital finance. His work is rooted in a passion for innovation and a firm belief that widespread education is key to accelerating global crypto adoption.