‘More Than a Co-Founder, You’r e a Brother’, Says Polygon’s Sandeep Nailwal as Mihailo Bjelic Steps Down

Mihailo Bjelic, co-founder of the Ethereum Layer 2 solution Polygon, recently announced his departure from the blockchain project. In response to the move, fellow co-founder Sandeep Nailwal paid a warm tribute to Bjelic, acknowledging his invaluable contributions to the platform. “More than a co-founder, you’re a brother,” Nailwal said.

Sandeep Nailway Lauds Mihailo Bjelic’s Influence on Polygon

In an X post that followed Mihailo Bjelic’s departure announcement, Polygon’s Sandeep Nailwal highlighted the former’s influence on the blockchain platform. He posited that Bjelic has been “a force behind so much of what makes Polygon what it is today.”

Further, Nailwal praised Bjelic’s clarity of thought and deep conviction, which had significantly shaped Polygon. The co-founder noted that Bjelic’s contributions would have a lasting impact beyond his individual role and expressed his support, saying they would always cheer for him. He concluded his heartfelt tribute with a poignant remark- “Brother from another mother.”

Mihailo Bjelic’s Departure

On May 23, Mihailo Bjelic shared an X post, revealing his decision to step down from the Polygon Foundation board. He posited that he would no longer be involved in the “day-to-day involvement with Polygon Labs.”

Notably, his decision stems from a divergence in his vision for the project and its current trajectory. However, he added that his passion for crypto remains unchanged and hinted at continued involvement in the industry. He noted,

As projects evolve and mature, it is natural for visions to evolve, and sometimes diverge. With this in mind, I can no longer contribute to Polygon to the best of my abilities. That said, I remain confident that Polygon leadership is committed to the success of the project. I’ll always be cheering from the sidelines, and supporting however and whenever I can.

This news comes amid talks surrounding Elon Musk’s potential departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Community Reacts to Polygon Co-Founder’s Resignation

Significantly, Bjelic’s resignation sparked widespread reactions within Polygon and the broader crypto community, with many viewing it as a significant loss. For instance, Leon Stern, Polygon’s head of marketing, stated, “We are going to miss you, Mihailo. Thanks for everything you’ve done for Polygon and best of luck!”

Another prominent blockchain figure, Maggie Shefi, addressed Bjelic as a “world class leader and builder.” Aave-chan Initiative founder Marc Zella labeled Bjelic’s resignation as a “Big L” for Polygon, referring to him as one among the “few Elite asset[s]” that the company had.

This development comes amid a significant crypto market correction that followed President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on the European Union. As of press time, the total market cap is $3.41 trillion, down 2.76%.