Polygon Co-founder Bjelic Departs from Leadership Role, Keeps Eye on Crypto Future
Mihailo Bjelic, one of the key founders behind Polygon’s early success, has stepped down from his leadership duties at the Polygon Foundation and Polygon Labs. After several years helping steer the popular Ethereum scaling platform, he announced that he would be stepping back from daily operations, though he expressed his commitment to staying active within the broader cryptocurrency sector.
Bjelic, a well-known name in the blockchain world, shared that his decision followed careful thought and a shift in how he sees his role in the project. Although no longer part of the executive team, he left on good terms, expressing support for the current leadership and optimism for the project’s future direction.
Image 1: Polygon (Source: The Block)
A Journey Through Crypto Innovation
Bjelic has been part of the cryptocurrency space for over a decade. He first encountered digital currencies in 2013 and quickly became immersed in their potential. By 2017, he was deeply involved in the community, drawn by the vision of using blockchain to create a more inclusive global financial network. That vision became more structured with the launch of Polygon in 2019, a platform designed to improve Ethereum’s scalability and lower transaction costs.
Since its inception, Polygon has gained global recognition and achieved several technical milestones. Under Bjelic’s guidance, the team developed advancements in zero-knowledge technology and formed partnerships with globally recognised brands. These developments have helped position Polygon as a key player among Ethereum’s layer-2 networks.
However, Bjelic’s departure comes with the acknowledgement that as projects expand and mature, it’s natural for ideas and approaches to change. He admitted that his personal direction no longer aligned with the day-to-day demands of the company. Instead of forcing his vision onto the team, he chose to step away and make space for new leadership energy. He made it clear that his decision did not reflect any issues with the team, which he believes remains committed and capable.
Community Reactions Reflect His Influence
His announcement attracted attention from industry figures and others connected to Polygon. Sandeep Nailwal, another founding member of Polygon, paid tribute to Bjelic’s role in shaping the company. Nailwal, who continues to serve as a core leader within the organisation, acknowledged the depth of Bjelic’s involvement from the early brainstorming sessions to later strategic decisions. He recognised Bjelic’s sharp thinking and strong convictions as key factors that helped mould the project into a global name in blockchain innovation.
Elsewhere in the Web3 community, others also commented on Bjelic’s decision. Marc Zeller, who leads the Aave Chain initiative, described the resignation as a significant loss, calling Bjelic one of the last remaining top-tier talents at Polygon. Despite the tone of regret, Zeller said he was keen to see what new projects Bjelic might take on next.
Support also came from Jack O’Holleran, the Chief Executive Officer of SKALE Labs, a blockchain platform focusing on decentralised applications. He praised Bjelic for his achievements during his time at Polygon and wished him well as he moves on to new ventures.
The reactions underline the impact Bjelic had not only on Polygon but on the wider decentralised technology ecosystem. He leaves behind a solid reputation as someone who brought vision, discipline, and dedication to building blockchain solutions.
Image 2: Mihailo Bjelic (Source: Cryptopolitan)
Polygon Pushes Ahead with New Developments
While Bjelic’s departure may raise concerns among some observers, Polygon has continued to push forward with major partnerships and technological advancements. Earlier this year in March, DigiShares, a platform that focuses on real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation, announced plans to launch a new real estate trading platform using Polygon’s infrastructure. Known as RealEstate.Exchange or REX, the initiative is expected to make it easier for people to invest in property through tokenised assets.
Prior to that, in January, Polygon Labs joined forces with Jio Platforms, a major Indian tech company owned by Mukesh Ambani, the wealthiest man in Asia. The partnership aims to integrate blockchain technology into Jio’s services, particularly around Web3 upgrades. This collaboration was seen as a notable win for Polygon, helping it tap into one of the world’s largest digital markets.
