Mastodon Founder Steps Down, Receives Exit Payment

Eugen Rochko, CEO and founder of decentralized social network Mastodon, is stepping down after nearly a decade at the helm and walking away with a sizable exit payment.

“Mastodon grew beyond any of my expectations,” he saeid. “The past two years especially have been overwhelming, and my mental and physical health have taken a dip.”

Rochko’s move has, by his own admission, been a while coming. In April 2024,the establishment of a US nonprofit was announced with a governing board of directors that included twitter co-founder biz Stone. Rochko also announced that his ownership of the trademark and other assets were headed to the nonprofit.

Mastodon is a federated network of independently managed servers. Each server has its own rules and regulations, which are enforced locally rather then by a corporate overlord. The ActivityPub protocol is used for federation.

Element Messenger Founder Steps Down,Project restructures

Element messenger founder Matthew Rochko is stepping down from his role as CEO,initiating a restructuring of the project. This change aims to establish a more sustainable future for the decentralized interaction platform. Rochko announced his decision in a blog post on November 18, 2023, citing burnout and the need for a healthier relationship with the project.

Rochko founded Element (originally Riot.im) in 2016, built on the open standard Matrix. The platform focuses on secure, decentralized communication, offering end-to-end encryption and interoperability with other Matrix-based services. Element has gained popularity among privacy advocates and those seeking alternatives to mainstream messaging apps.

The restructuring involves transitioning leadership to a new CEO, Amandine Le Roux, who previously served as Element’s chief Operating Officer. Le Roux will focus on securing funding and scaling the project. Rochko will transition to a part-time role,concentrating on the core Matrix protocol development.

Rochko explained the decision was difficult but necessary. He detailed the significant personal toll the last few years have taken, and a especially negative user interaction last summer solidified his need to step back. He stated this restructuring is crucial for finding a healthier relationship with the project.

Rochko will receive a one-time payment of €50,000 as part of the transition. He will also continue to contribute to Matrix as a core developer, ensuring the protocol remains open and decentralized. The Element team believes this restructuring will allow the project to thrive and reach its full potential.

More information is available on the Element blog and the Matrix website.