ZeroDev Founder Joins Ethlabs to Tackle Commercial Adoption Challenges

ZeroDev founder Derek Chiang has joined Ethlabs, adding his expertise in practical product development and smart account infrastructure to the Ethereum-focused research organization. With this move, Ethlabs gains a key partner who understands how to turn research into real-world products that meet commercial demand.

The significance of Chiang's appointment lies not only in his technical expertise but also in his experience working with layer 1 blockchain infrastructure and actual users. He has spent years developing smart account infrastructure for ZeroDev, which was later acquired by Offchain Labs in 2025. As a result, he has seen firsthand the challenges that businesses and developers face when trying to deploy blockchain products at scale.

Chiang's role is crucial in helping Ethlabs identify why technically capable Ethereum applications still struggle to become usable products. His experience will inform protocol research priorities, ensuring they align with commercial needs rather than just being driven by a 'protocol-first' perspective.

Ethlabs aims to connect Ethereum development with commercial demand, and Chiang's addition strengthens its ability to achieve this goal. He brings a unique understanding of how to design accounts that can grant limited permissions without surrendering complete control, which is essential for agentic finance and programmable accounts.