1inch Co-Founder Anton Bukov Departs Operations to Launch New Venture, Disagreements Emerge Over Departure Details

Anton Bukov, a pivotal figure in the decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape and co-founder of the prominent decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregator 1inch, has announced his complete withdrawal from the company’s operational responsibilities. This marks the end of Bukov’s seven-year tenure leading the day-to-day activities of the influential protocol. The announcement, made via an X (formerly Twitter) post on Thursday, reveals Bukov’s intention to pivot his focus towards a new, as-yet-undisclosed project named "Second Tier."

While Bukov clarified that he will retain his co-founder status and maintain a significant 50% ownership stake in 1inch, his departure from operational duties has been shadowed by conflicting narratives regarding the circumstances and timing of his exit. These discrepancies have been surfacing online since late last year, suggesting a complex and potentially contentious separation.

Bukov’s account of his departure paints a picture of forced removal. He stated that he was "fired" from 1inch in November 2025, a decision he attributes to his persistent advocacy for "change" within the company’s management and operational structures. He articulated his position by stating, "I no longer take part in the company’s operations. And, most importantly, I have no role in its product architecture or its security, and no oversight of either." This assertion strongly implies a complete severing of his involvement in the technical and strategic direction of 1inch.

In response to Bukov’s statements, 1inch subsequently published its own account on X, offering a contrasting perspective. The company stated that Bukov "had not been actively involved in any associated organizations" linked to the project since December 2025. This statement suggests a de facto disengagement from Bukov prior to any formal "firing" and implies that his operational involvement had already ceased. The differing timelines and characterizations of Bukov’s exit highlight a clear divergence in how the co-founders and the company itself are interpreting the events leading to his operational withdrawal.

1inch was co-founded in May 2019 by Anton Bukov and Sergej Kunz. Kunz, who continues to lead the company, addressed Bukov’s departure in a separate X post on Thursday. Kunz assured the community that Bukov’s exit from operational roles "is not disrupting, will not disrupt, 1inch Network’s infrastructure or systems." This statement aims to quell any potential concerns about the stability and continued functionality of the 1inch platform following the departure of one of its key operational leaders.

The establishment of 1inch in 2019 coincided with a burgeoning period for decentralized finance. The platform quickly rose to prominence by aggregating liquidity from various decentralized exchanges, offering users more efficient and competitive token swaps. Bukov, as a co-founder, played an instrumental role in shaping the technical architecture and operational strategy that propelled 1inch to become one of the leading DEX aggregators in the crypto space. His contributions are widely recognized within the DeFi community for their impact on the efficiency and accessibility of decentralized trading.

The reported disagreements over the nature of Bukov’s exit raise questions about internal governance and decision-making processes within rapidly growing blockchain projects. In the volatile and fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, startups often face challenges in maintaining cohesive leadership and operational alignment as they scale. The conflicting statements from Bukov and 1inch suggest that such challenges may have been at play in this instance. The emphasis on "pushing for change" by Bukov could indicate a difference in vision or strategy regarding the future development and direction of 1inch.

Bukov’s decision to launch "Second Tier" signals his continued ambition within the blockchain and DeFi ecosystem. The specifics of this new venture remain under wraps, but its inception signifies a deliberate move to pursue new opportunities and potentially explore different facets of the decentralized technology landscape. His substantial ownership stake in 1inch suggests a continued vested interest in the success of his previous endeavor, even as he embarks on a new path.

Sergej Kunz’s role as the remaining leader of 1inch becomes even more critical in the wake of Bukov’s operational departure. His assurance regarding the stability of the network underscores the resilience of the platform’s infrastructure and the commitment of the broader 1inch team to its ongoing development and operation. The future trajectory of 1inch will undoubtedly be influenced by Kunz’s leadership and the team’s ability to navigate the evolving DeFi market without one of its co-founders actively involved in daily operations.

The situation highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency in the blockchain industry, particularly when significant personnel changes occur within influential projects. For users and investors, understanding the dynamics within a project’s leadership can be crucial in assessing its long-term prospects. The conflicting narratives surrounding Bukov’s exit serve as a reminder of the complexities that can arise within decentralized organizations and the importance of seeking information from multiple sources.

Cointelegraph, as the reporting entity, reaffirms its commitment to independent and transparent journalism. This article has been produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy, aiming to deliver accurate and timely information. Readers are always encouraged to conduct their own independent verification of information presented in news reports. The ongoing developments surrounding 1inch and its co-founders will be closely watched by the DeFi community.