1inch co-founder says he was fired, announces new venture
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Cointelegraph by Turner Wright
1inch co-founder Anton Bukov has announced his operational exit from the company, claiming he was fired in November 2025 after pushing for management changes. While retaining 50% ownership, Bukov is now pivoting to launch a new project called Second Tier.
Internal Turmoil at 1inch: The Departure of Anton Bukov
The decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem has been shaken by the announcement that Anton Bukov, a co-founder of the prominent aggregation protocol 1inch, is completely exiting his operational role. After more than seven years of steering the company's direction, Bukov revealed via a post on X that his departure was not a mutual agreement but rather a forced exit. This development marks a significant turning point for one of the most established names in the crypto-trading space, highlighting the often-volatile nature of leadership within high-growth blockchain ventures.
The Catalyst: Management Clashes and the "Firing"
According to Bukov, the primary driver behind his removal was his advocacy for fundamental changes to 1inch's management and operational structures. He explicitly stated that he was "fired" in November 2025, suggesting a deep-seated ideological or strategic rift between him and the remaining leadership. This push for organizational reform indicates that internal tensions had likely been brewing for some time, reflecting a struggle over how the company should evolve to meet the changing demands of the DeFi market.
Conflicting Narratives and Public Friction
The situation is further complicated by a lack of consensus between the founder and the organization. While Bukov has been transparent about the nature of his exit, 1inch has released contradictory statements regarding his role since last year. This public discrepancy suggests a breakdown in communication and a potential legal or PR battle over the narrative of the split. Such contradictions often create uncertainty among stakeholders and community members who rely on stable governance for confidence in the protocol's longevity.
Ownership vs. Operational Control
A critical nuance in this transition is the distinction between operational authority and equity. Despite being stripped of his active role in the company's daily operations, Bukov asserts that he remains a co-founder with 50% ownership of the company. This creates a complex power dynamic where Bukov holds significant financial and structural influence as a shareholder, even while being excluded from the decision-making processes that drive the company's current trajectory.
The Pivot to "Second Tier"
Rather than retreating from the industry, Bukov is leveraging this exit to initiate a new chapter. He has announced the launch of a new project titled "Second Tier." While the specific technical details of this venture remain to be fully unfolded, the timing suggests a desire to implement the very operational and management philosophies he was unable to instill at 1inch. This transition from an established giant to a new startup is a common pattern among visionary founders who seek a "blank slate" to execute their original ambitions.
Broader Implications for DeFi Governance
This event serves as a case study in the fragility of founder-led organizations within the technology sector. The transition from a startup phase to a mature operational entity often leads to friction between original founders and the evolving needs of corporate management. In the context of DeFi, where decentralization is a core tenet, the centralized conflict between co-founders can paradoxically highlight the remaining dependencies on key individuals, potentially prompting 1inch to further decentralize its operational governance to avoid future instability.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
In summary, Anton Bukov's exit from 1inch is a multifaceted event involving allegations of forced termination, a struggle for management reform, and the birth of a new venture, Second Tier. While 1inch continues to operate, the cloud of contradictory statements and the loss of a long-term co-founder's operational expertise may create short-term volatility. However, the retention of 50% ownership by Bukov ensures that he remains a pivotal figure in the company's financial history, even as he pursues a new path in the blockchain landscape.