Breaking Ties: What Happened?
In a surprising twist within the blockchain world, University College London’s Centre for Blockchain Technologies (CBT) has officially announced its separation from the IOTA Foundation. As quite a plot twist unfolds in April 2023, this move has caused a stir among blockchain enthusiasts and researchers alike.
The Heart of the Matter
CBT’s public declaration emphasizes its unwavering commitment to open security research. They boldly asserted, “It is inappropriate for security researchers to be subject to threats of legal action for disclosing their results.” This statement appears to directly address the turmoil surrounding a vulnerability discovered in IOTA’s technology last September through MIT’s Digital Currency Initiative.
Vulnerability Report: The Catalyst?
The notorious vulnerability report published by MIT might be the catalyst for CBT’s decision. The report tried to shine a light on some serious issues with IOTA’s open source repositories on GitHub, and while IOTA scrambled to rectify the vulnerabilities, the aftermath was anything but smooth sailing. Instead of patting researchers on the back, IOTA’s cryptographer allegedly issued legal threats, making eyebrows raise, and trust waver.
What Exactly Went Down?
Things came to a head on October 17, 2022, when leaked emails suggested that Sergey Ivancheglo, IOTA’s lead cryptographer, might have stepped out of line, leading to calls for legal action against one of the researchers. Could this drama be the reason why CBT scrubbed all traces of IOTA from its website? When you search for IOTA on the CBT site now, prepare for a thrilling 404 error—a true ghosting, if you will.
CBT’s Response: No Regrets?
In an effort to clarify their stance, CBT remarked, “UCL CBT has interrupted association with IOTA foundation until further notice.” This was their way of saying they didn’t want to be next on the IOTA drama series. Interestingly, they mentioned that IOTA was merely part of their Industry Alliance, indicating that the ties were not as strong as some believed.
What’s Next for IOTA?
As of now, there has been a conspicuous silence from the IOTA Foundation regarding UCL’s breakup. Will they address the elephant in the room, or are they going to stay in hiding and let the rumors swirl? A possible sequel to the narrative awaits, and observers will be keeping their eyes peeled for any official comments from IOTA representatives.
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