The Importance of Establishing and Unveiling an Ecosystem on Genesis Day
Picture a scenario where Microsoft debuted the Xbox, but there were no games available.
On the day the Ethereum genesis block is generated, numerous components of the ecosystem — essential infrastructure, mining network, user app browser, and applications — will be operational. Admittedly, there will still be a vast amount of development required after the genesis to refine Ethereum into a complex, decentralized consensus (decentcon) application platform. Nevertheless, on day one, there will be “launch titles.”
Initially, when the concept behind Ethereum was created in November, the aim was for it to serve as a straightforward “altcoin” (in fact, a meta-protocol layered on Primecoin) featuring an integrated scripting language. Over time, however, as we acknowledged the potential of the project, our ambitions naturally expanded, and our current goal is to introduce a flagship product known as the “EtherBrowser:” a browser capable of navigating both the traditional Internet and the decentralized web (Web3.0). From the inception of the Ethereum network, the following components in the EtherBrowser and the ecosystem will be functional:
- a fully operational implementation of the Ethereum blockchain that enhances Bitcoin technology with one-minute block intervals and improved security (GHOST protocol), allowing decentralized applications (“ÐApps”) to utilize it for anything necessitating consensus (e.g., currency and token systems, name registries, proof of existence, etc.)
- a fully functional peer-to-peer protocol enabling ÐApps to exchange messages among users. For instance, a decentralized messaging ÐApp will employ this protocol for actual message transmission, while utilizing the blockchain for registering user accounts.
- an intuitive user interface for browsing ÐApps, including a browser and app store
- network nodes (miners) that facilitate transactions and computations, secure the network through a consensus process, and are rewarded through fees and the creation of new ether
- a standardized set of “built-in” utility-level ÐApps: distributed wallet, distributed ID framework, distributed reputation system, distributed messaging system, distributed name registry service, a catalog of distributed applications, etc., which will function as just a few of the foundational utilities on the system
- a standard assortment of built-in instruments for both developers and end-users: blockchain explorer, contract explorer, transaction constructor, encrypted messaging tool, signature tool, authentication tool, and a debugger available for the advanced users.
Shortly after the genesis, we anticipate witnessing a diverse array of third-party distributed applications, such as distributed storage solutions, distributed notary services, distributed exchange features, distributed escrow and arbitration solutions, financial agreements, insurance contracts, lending options, specialized reputation systems, gaming, entertainment services, etc. Each of the ÐApps within distinct business segments will leverage lower-level, system utility ÐApps like the ID and reputation frameworks.
In the absence of active distributed applications, Ethereum remains an empty shell. To ensure a comprehensive array of distributed applications from the outset, non-profit, public good elements must be developed alongside commercially driven applications in competitive markets. This necessity forms the dual mandate of Ethereum.
It’s arguable that specific components within an ecosystem ought to be cultivated for the common good, without a profit incentive. Conversely, other elements are more effectively developed in a competitive, profit-oriented context. For example, it makes sense to build a cohesive, large-scale, systematic road network for public benefit utilizing taxpayer funds. However, it is likely not advantageous to manufacture cars with taxpayer money, as development fueled by free market competition propels the design and production of superior products and ultimately benefits the market as a whole.
Dual Mandate: Cooperative Non-Profit and For-Profit Advancement
Two leading organizations will guide the Ethereum Project under a dual mandate: a profit-oriented entity located in Zug, Switzerland, and a non-profit organization based in Toronto, Canada. Both entities will be structured to maintain strength and financial independence, ensuring continued development and growth of the ecosystem for years to come.
The Ethereum ecosystem will initially be developed by the non-profit and for-profit entities collaboratively, ideally with extensive involvement from numerous other independent organizations. The founding leadership will establish mechanisms to guarantee that the foundational elements of the ecosystem are developed and upheld in alignment with the founding principles. Funding and independence will be secured for the organizations (whether state-registered enterprises or eventually blockchain-registered firms) that steer the various pathways of core infrastructure development.
Concurrently, human economies are largely centered on free market commerce (or should be), so the non-profit organization, to a certain degree — and particularly the for-profit entity — will support independent business initiatives within the space to launch and prosper. This support can manifest in various forms, from providing resources and guidance to maintaining support channels and establishing joint ventures.
The Hybrid Organization Structure
“MOZILLA IS ONE SUCH [HYBRID NON-PROFIT/FOR-PROFIT] ORGANIZATION AND, AS I LOOK AROUND, I SEE OTHERS. THERE IS A LOT [SIC] OF UPSIDE TO HOW THESE ORGS FUNCTION, ESPECIALLY THE CAPACITY TO DRIVE MARKETS TOWARD THE PUBLIC GOOD ON A GLOBAL SCALE.
“…THE MORE I PROBE, THE MORE I AM CONVINCED THAT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MOZILLA, WIKIPEDIA, KIVA, MIRO, AND SO FORTH, WHICH BLEND MISSION, MARKET, AND THE CULTURE OF THE WEB, PRESENT A NEW PARADIGM WORTH EXPLORING.
“MISSION + MARKET + WEB HYBRIDS ARE SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THEY POSSESS THE POWER REQUIRED TO INFLUENCE MARKETS AT A GLOBAL SCALE, WHILE STILL ADVOCATING FOR THE SMALLER PLAYERS, TAKING A LONG-TERM VIEW AND STAYING TRUE TO THEIR PUBLIC BENEFIT MISSION. THEY DEMONSTRATE HOW ORGANIZATIONS COULD — AND MAYBE SHOULD — OPERATE IN THE FUTURE.”
- MARK SURMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MOZILLA FOUNDATION
Companies like Trolltech/Digia (Qt), WordPress, Red Hat, Google Android and the Open Handset Alliance, The Mozilla Organization, and several others havepioneered the dual mandate strategy and established flourishing ecosystems and prosperous enterprises. The model that Sun formulated in the late 90s is also enlightening.
Sun Microsystems (currently Oracle) created the Java programming language and libraries internally. Despite its innovation, it is probable that it would not have gained such extensive market share, had Sun not acknowledged that they, as a profit-driven organization, could not oversee a foundational component of software creation that it, along with numerous competitors, was anticipated to utilize. To resolve this conflict, Sun made Java open source and instituted the Java Community Process to oversee the platform’s development in an impartial manner.
Ethereum is an open source initiative and will continue to be open source. Moreover, the Ethereum Project, supported by its non-profit organization, will establish a community development procedure that is philosophically akin to the Java Community Process. Indeed, Ethereum has thus far been developed under a less structured community development framework.
The Ethereum non-profit organization will define and direct the advancement of the core Ethereum infrastructure. It will utilize a non-partisan community development process and will develop, conduct and sponsor research initiatives in the broader cryptocurrency domain. The non-profit will initially consist of the Ethereum founders, and will soon incorporate other independent pioneers in the evolving sector.
The Ethereum for-profit organization will be tasked with the responsibility of developing specific components of the core infrastructure in partnership with the non-profit entity and expanding the ecosystem with distributed application services and businesses that it creates, finances, or otherwise backs.
We consider this to be the most efficient framework in the short term. That being said, we identify as DAOists (where DAO stands for Distributed Autonomous Organization). We aim to transition as much infrastructure and governance onto the blockchain as swiftly as feasible. Our OpenSalary system is likely to be the first element to migrate to the blockchain. Please stay tuned for further updates on the subjects of OpenOrganization and the DAOification of the two organizations. Our objective, assuming we perform our roles well, is to render ourselves obsolete (in terms of state registration).
