From Resignation to Return: How Gavin Wood Leads the Web3 Revolution — Part 1

Should a leader always stay in the CEO position? Gavin Wood, creator of Polkadot and founder of the Web3 Foundation, answered this question with his decision: sometimes you need to step back to think on a larger scale.

Who is Gavin Wood and what did he create?

Gavin Wood is one of the most influential figures in blockchain history. Before gaining fame with Polkadot, he contributed to the development of Ethereum, where he worked on its architecture. His greatest contribution, however, is the creation of Polkadot — an ecosystem that changes how different blockchains can collaborate. Today, with a price of $1.90, DOT is a key component of Web3 infrastructure.

Why does the top technologist resign from management?

Here lies a paradox that many do not understand. Gavin stepped down as CEO of Parity Technologies not because he lost passion — quite the opposite. He explained it clearly: current administrative duties stifled his ability to innovate deeply.

“Managing daily affairs is a source of stress, and stress blocks creative thinking,” — says Wood. This insight is profoundly meaningful for an industry where leaders are often confined to offices instead of working on vision. As he notes: scientists and teachers thrive thanks to independence. Why not technologists?

Two years of intensive work on transformation

Instead of leaving the industry, Gavin did something much more important: he dedicated two years to developing JAM (Just Ask Me) — a transformative update for the Polkadot ecosystem. It wasn’t work in the shadows. His ideas gradually took shape, bringing closer what we now know as Polkadot 2.0.

Why is he returning now?

The answer is strategic: the infrastructure is ready, the market has matured, and the ecosystem awaits deployment. Wood has returned as CEO to lead the next phase of Polkadot’s evolution — and this time with a clear vision.

Not an idol, but a system architect

Gavin emphasizes: in cryptocurrencies, leaders should not be idols to emulate. Polkadot has always been a decentralized project — authority is shared among all participants and does not depend on a single person. It’s a philosophy that Wood implemented through JAM, called “the magical internet computer,” which first solves the most difficult technical problems.

What does he think about the state of the industry?

His vision is critical but constructive:

Layer 2 on Ethereum — he views as an attempt to centralize decision-making power.

Many tokens without value — in his opinion, most projects are distractions that do not create real solutions.

Despite his criticism, he is an enthusiast: “JAM and its development are one of the most satisfying periods of my cryptocurrency career.”

Lessons that will change your perspective

Gavin Wood’s journey teaches us important lessons:

• True progress: Building systems that give people control, not dependent on central authority
• The importance of independence: Sometimes you need to step back to think and create better
• Curiosity over titles: Learning and discovery are more important than positions or wealth
• Freedom has its price: Money and status have advantages but also a dark side

Gavin Wood is returning to Polkadot not as a traditional CEO but as a visionary focused on turning ambitions into real achievements. It’s a lesson for the entire industry: sometimes you need to leave to truly come back.