Ethereum Devs Call for Public Debate on Fund Recovery
TAGS: Ethereum | developers
Ethereum's more senior developers are calling for a public debate over what steps, if any, should be taken at the software level to return funds lost in high-profile hacks and incidents.
In a bi-weekly meeting Friday, the developers took sides over a controversial ethereum improvement proposal, EIP 867, which advocates for a method of returning funds to potential victims. As profiled by CoinDesk, the issue has emerged as a lightning rod due to the fact the proposal advocates using system-wide software upgrades as a possible fix.
It perhaps wasn't a surprise then that the meeting showcased the passions on either side of what is becoming one of the platform's more prominent arguments.
Still, others sought a more middle-ground solution, such as having a more public debate.
Ethereum developer Vlad Zamfir told attendees:
"These proposals, especially proposals that do set important precedents, that impact the relation of the community and the platform, I think need to be subject to a public debate that I'm not actually sure the EIP process is designed to handle."
In response, community manager Hudson Jameson agreed, stating his belief the debate should play out on social media. Likewise, independent developer Alexey Akhunov proposed a live video debate between developers.
Some struck a reserved tone to the idea, though.
Developer Piper Merriam warned that a live discussion was liable to become a "politician-based thing," stating that the debate should remain in written form. "Otherwise it's a popularity contest," he said.
As such, the comments hint at another component of the debate, one that has tackled the issue just what role developers should play in blocking proposals from public discussion.
EIP 867, for instance, is led by lesser-known developer Dan Phifer from Musiconomi, a startup that lost a substantial amount of ether in the Parity fund freeze last year.
EIP editor Yoichi Hirai originally rejected the proposal due to its failure to comply with what he described as "ethereum philosophy," however he is now adopting a more liberal approach to his role, stating that "the EIP repository is like Twitter."
"Everyone can say whatever they want and I merge everything," he said.
For now, no further action will likely be taken on the proposal until ethereum's process for accepting code changes, detailed in EIP-1, has been clarified.
However, Jameson said today that the current controversy had accelerated such efforts.
Silicon chip via Shutterstock
The leader in blockchain news, CoinDesk is an independent media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. Have breaking news or a story tip to send to our journalists? Contact us at news@coindesk.com.
DevelopersEthereum
Popular
Cloud Giant Xunlei Claims Blockchain Advance With 'ThunderChain'
Xunlei, the NASDAQ-listed cloud network provider, has launched its proprietary blockchain platform, despite ongoing class actions over an alleged initial coin offering (ICO).
At a press event in Be
Taiwan Eyes November Deadline for Bitcoin AML Regulation
Taiwan aims to formally regulate bitcoin under anti-money laundering (AML) rules before the end of the year.
According to the Taiwan Central News Agency, Chiu Tai-san, the country's minister of jus
Bitcoin Bull Trap? Not So, Says Lesser-Known Price Indicator
Is the reversal of a lesser-known bitcoin price indicator signaling a bull trap?
That's the question being asked by Twitter's more expert crypto analysts after bitcoin's rise to $8,500 this week, a
JPMorgan Trial Puts Debt Issuance on a Blockchain
JPMorgan Chase has partnered with National Bank of Canada and other major firms to trial a blockchain platform aimed to improve the debt issuance process.
As reported by Reuters, the investment ban
Stellar Run: XLM, IOTA, ADA Spike in Good Week for Altcoins
Alternative cryptocurrencies shone bright this week, as the wider cryptocurrency market saw continued resurgence.
The total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies rose 25 percent week-on-wee
LedgerX's Bitcoin Derivatives Trading Is Up 7X Since Launch
Bitcoin trading platform LedgerX has seen a sevenfold increase in volume in the six months following its launch of cryptocurrency derivatives.
Chief operating officer Juthica Chou told CoinDesk tha
Likely New York Fed president says bitcoin 'doesn't pass the basic test' for a currency
The central banker expected to be the next head of the New York Fed doesn't think much of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. "Cryptocurrency doesn't pass the basic test of what a currency should
Bitcoin Pyramid Scheme Amassed $20 Million in South Korea
Two men from South Korea have been sentenced for creating a bitcoin pyramid scheme that swindled some 20 billion Korean won ($20 million) from investors.
On April 19, a judge from Seoul's Incheon D