A life update: After 2.5 years, I've recently parted ways with @Mantle_Official and my role as DeFi Growth Lead. From the early testnet days to launching mainnet in July 2023 — and witnessing the exponential momentum we had through 2024–2025 — it’s been an unforgettable ride. When I joined, I came from a writing/research/DeFi background with zero BD experience. I’ll be honest: the early days were rough. Every day was a new challenge, and many of us were learning, adapting, and improvising in real time. It felt like we were laying down train tracks while the train was already speeding ahead (and occasionally on fire). But because of the people around me, we built something incredible. Here's a TLDR of the milestones we achieved together: > Grew Mantle's on-chain ecosystem to 100+ dApps > Reached an ATH TVL of ~$638M > Scaled Mantle's onchain value secured from $0 to ~$2.36B in just 1.5 years making it the 4th largest Ethereum Layer-2 behind OP, Base and ARB at the time. > Partnered with dozens of top-tier protocols including EigenLayer, Ethena, Pendle, LayerZero, Succinct, Securitize and many more. > Supported new builders and early-stage founders through hackathons, workshops, grants, accelerators and mentorship programs with @sozuhaus, @odisealabs and @HackQuest_. > Launched and spun out multiple homegrown initiatives into full-fledged companies like @mETHProtocol, @FunctionBTC, @MantleIndexFour and @UR_global. > And finally, helped Mantle return home to @Bybit_Official as its flagship chain and execution layer. None of this happened because of me alone — it happened because of a team that was hungry, resilient, and willing to push through every obstacle. I’m proud of what we built, but I’m even prouder of the people I got to build it with. So why leave? It may come as a surprise to some, but I feel it’s the right moment to step back, reset, and explore new paths — both personally in life and professionally. Working at Mantle has been one of the most transformative chapters of my life. I’ve met so many brilliant, driven, and genuinely good people who pushed me, taught me, supported me, and believed in me. To my teammates, partners, and everyone who shared late nights, strategy calls, fires to put out, and wins to celebrate — thank you. You made the past 2.5 years unforgettable. A few special mentions, but you guys know who you are (and those who I can't your X handles): @0xVEER @Defi_Maestro @YaxiZhu @gametheorizing @thomas_fxn @NTBro @tyxfran @jolinxcheong @0xjlow @cryptoian @jesswpotato @0x_Specter @speicherx @javajrr @joshuacheong @ricematcha @0xGeezee @Donmario @Gem3a @AlvinMaven @dao_lbrian @0xfrizzyzoe @afk0b @0xbenito_ @CatEatPeanut @AdrienAmsellem @IanWhiteford1 @IgneusTerrenus @kellykim_xyz @ikbenhan @jaredcj_ @0nobNov @0xjooohn @PauChan23 @doctorgm_01123 So what's next? I’m not leaving the industry — just taking some time to touch grass, reset, and see what life outside of back-to-back calls and BD pipelines feels like. I’ll still be around, keeping a close eye on the markets, trying out new products, and looking out for the next big thing. If you don't see me at the next big conference, I'll see you in the orderbooks. 💛Gabe