# How Ethereum Grows Without a Center | Aya Miyaguchi and Tomo Saito at Pragma Tokyo 2026

- Speakers: [Aya Miyaguchi](https://streameth.org/speakers/aya-miyaguchi), [Tomo Saito](https://streameth.org/speakers/tomo-saito)
- Channel: [ETHGlobal](https://streameth.org/ethglobal)
- Date: 2026-10-26
- Duration: 20:44
- Topics: ETHGlobal, Pragma Tokyo 2026, Pragma Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, 2026, Aya Miyaguchi, Tomo Saito, Ethereum Foundation, Ethereum, Ethereum values, EF mandate, censorship resistance, open source, privacy, security, decentralization, infinite garden, Ethereum community, ecosystem governance, protocol stewardship, stablecoins, privacy technology, AI and Ethereum, trustworthy AI, web3 builders, Devcon, Science & Technology
- Watch: https://streameth.org/watch/yt-QlLaUM6dKlk
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlLaUM6dKlk

## Description

Ethereum Foundation leaders Aya Miyaguchi and Tomo Saito discuss how Ethereum can grow without a central authority while preserving its values. Miyaguchi explains why the Foundation published its mandate after a decade: the ecosystem had become too large to rely on implicit culture, and builders needed a clear explanation of the principles behind technical choices. The mandate centers censorship resistance, open source development, privacy, and security, providing a shared standard for Foundation teams and independent organizations.

The conversation explores the Foundation’s role as a steward, the Japanese community’s translation of the mandate, and opportunities for builders. Privacy-preserving compliance, less concentrated stablecoins, and Ethereum infrastructure for trustworthy AI remain open design problems. Miyaguchi argues that Ethereum’s values are practical properties that affect daily life, not abstract philosophy. Builders can express those values through security, privacy, user experience, and tools that give people alternatives to surrendering control.

00:00 Introduction to Ethereum Foundation Mandate
01:01 Why Publish a Mandate After Ten Years
01:37 Making Ethereum’s Values Explicit
02:34 Why Ethereum Accepts Technical Tradeoffs
03:24 Ethereum’s Promise in a Changing World
04:08 Protecting the Culture That Defines Ethereum
05:15 Six Months of Mandate Impact
06:48 The Japanese Community Translation
09:18 New Organizations and Infinite Garden Growth
10:41 The Foundation as a Steward
12:14 Opportunities for Builders and Institutions
13:20 Privacy, Compliance, and Stablecoins
14:40 How Ethereum Can Support Trustworthy AI
16:22 Explaining Ethereum Values to New Audiences
17:33 Young Builders Enter the Ecosystem
19:59 Devcon Mumbai and Closing Remarks

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🇯🇵 *Pragma Tokyo 2026*
Pragma Tokyo 2026 was held on September 25th at the Toranomon Hills Forum in Tokyo, Japan and was an in-person summit for builders and leaders in the web3 ecosystem. Watch the full Pragma Tokyo 2026 YouTube Playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT7ZDw43Z98U

ETHGlobal's Pragma series takes place in cities around the world, and is designed to be a different kind of event. Pragma is a one-stage conference with founders-only on stage, bringing together a small group of curated attendees and speakers to discuss the future of web3 and reflect on the past. 

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✅ Follow Aya Miyaguchi
X: https://x.com/AyaMiyagotchi

✅ Follow Tomo Saito
X: https://x.com/tomosaito

✅ Follow the Ethereum Foundation
X: https://x.com/ethereumfndn

✅ Follow ETHGlobal
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Website: https://ethglobal.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCfF9ZO8Ug4xk_AJd4aeT5HA 

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