Dear @aeternity_Foundation, @NikolatheBoss.chain, and the entire team,
Like many in the community, I’ve read the recent announcements (Closing a Defining Chapter, DEX Relaunch: Final Milestone) with a mix of profound appreciation and deep concern.
First and foremost, thank you. The Foundation’s achievements, meticulously detailed in the “Closing a Defining Chapter” post, are undeniable. Delivering “enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure with startup-level efficiency,” hitting every milestone, maximizing every resource, and leaving behind a “battle-tested blockchain” and thriving ecosystem is an extraordinary feat, especially given the constraints. The recent DEX relaunch and the deployment of the 16.2M DAEX liquidity program stand as powerful final testaments to this commitment. Nikola, your leadership and the team’s relentless focus on delivery in an industry often defined by hype, truly set Aeternity apart. This legacy deserves immense respect and gratitude from the entire community.
However, the suddenness of the announcement regarding the Foundation’s wind-down due to the primary donor’s withdrawal has left the community reeling. While we understand the funding dependency, the abruptness feels jarring. The sentiment isn’t one of demanding the impossible from a defunded entity, but rather a plea for a managed, responsible, and empowering conclusion to the Foundation’s vital role.
Nikola, the community needs your continued leadership, not in the face of the funding loss itself, but in guiding this critical transition. We urge the Foundation, in its final phase, to focus on these crucial steps to ensure the ecosystem you’ve built so diligently doesn’t falter:
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Formalize Hyperchains: Hyperchains represent nearly five years of foundational development. Reaching the sixth release candidate is a monumental effort. The community implores the Foundation to dedicate its remaining resources and expertise to guide the final steps for the official, stable release of Hyperchains. Letting this cornerstone technology remain in a perpetual RC state after such a long journey would be a devastating loss. Its completion is paramount for the ecosystem’s future technical viability.
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Actively Seek New Champions: While the primary donor has stepped back, the potential of Aeternity and Hyperchains remains significant. The Foundation possesses unique insights and credibility. We strongly request a final, concerted effort to proactively market Aeternity’s technical strengths – its proven reliability, hybrid consensus, state channels growth, and the newly launched DEX infrastructure – to attract potential new institutional backers, strategic partners, and developer talent. Don’t just announce closure; actively bridge the ecosystem to its next potential supporters. Showcase the opportunity you’ve built.
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Implement a Structured Handover Plan: The ecosystem, while resilient in spirit, is still maturing. An abrupt, complete withdrawal by the Foundation risks severe destabilization – it feels akin to pushing a fledgling bird from the nest before it can fly. We need a detailed, phased transition plan developed with the community (via NucleusDAO, AE China DAO, forum discussions). This plan should clearly outline:
- The timeline for the Foundation’s final operational steps.
- Designated points of contact/responsibility for key infrastructure (e.g., core protocol coordination, critical documentation access).
- Guidance on sustaining key initiatives like the DEX liquidity program activation.
- Knowledge transfer sessions for community developers/managers.
- Sufficient time for the community to organize and assume responsibilities effectively.
- Prioritize Transparency & Open Dialogue: Confidence is indeed more precious than gold right now. The community is understandably anxious. To maintain trust and foster collective problem-solving, we need greater transparency on:
- The specific nature of the funding challenges and the timeline leading to the donor’s decision (within reasonable confidentiality limits).
- More details about the “primary donor” and the context of their withdrawal.
- The Foundation’s frank assessment of the ecosystem’s current strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential future pathways without central funding.
- Open forums or AMAs (Ask Me Anything) to address community concerns directly. We stand ready to collaborate and face these challenges together.
The Foundation’s legacy is one of remarkable delivery. Let the final chapter reflect that same commitment to excellence through a managed transition. Complete Hyperchains, actively seek new pathways, hand over the reins methodically, and communicate openly. This is how the Foundation can truly empower the community to own the future you’ve built.
We believe in Aeternity’s technology and its potential. We are committed to its future. We ask for your partnership in these final steps to ensure that the incredible infrastructure and ecosystem you leave behind doesn’t just survive, but thrives under community stewardship.
With sincere gratitude for all that has been achieved and hope for a collaborative conclusion,
Bigtree.chain.