Fedi is set to release its complete software stack as open source on January 3, fulfilling a commitment initially made at its launch in 2024.
The organization announced that all Fedi software has now been fully transitioned to the Affero General Public License (AGPL), following a temporary phase under a business source license. This shift renders Fedi’s codebase publicly accessible under a copyleft license that mandates derivative works to remain open, as noted by a Fedi spokesperson.
The chosen date is significant within Bitcoin history, marking the anniversary of the Bitcoin genesis block, which was mined in 2009. Fedi indicated that this timing underscores its dedication to community ownership and the development of grassroots financial infrastructure.
Upon its inception, Fedi expressed its intention to serve as a “freedom technology” by restoring control to users and their communities. The decision to adopt an open-source model, according to the company, adheres to that promise and mitigates the risk of vendor lock-in for entities utilizing the software.
Fedi’s platform is employed by communities to construct localized financial and social systems. The application integrates encrypted messaging, Bitcoin payments, and additional services through Mini App extensions. Its wallet infrastructure is powered by the Fedimint protocol, enabling groups to manage shared Bitcoin custody through federated trust models.
The AGPL license aims to ensure that any enhancements remain publicly accessible, regardless of whether the software is utilized in hosted or networked services. Proponents argue that this aligns developmental incentives with user interests.
Fedi executives have emphasized the shift in licensing during various public engagements, including a pre-show segment at BitcoinMENA featuring CEO Obi Nwosu.
With this transition finalized, Fedi joins a growing cohort of Bitcoin-native projects that are reverting to entirely open development as adoption expands beyond initial users to encompass community-focused applications.
Fedi: From Chaumian E-Cash to Federated Bitcoin Mints
Fedimint is founded on concepts introduced by cryptographer David Chaum in the early 1980s. Chaumian e-cash enables users to conduct transactions without disclosing their identities or transaction histories to the issuer. Previous iterations of digital cash struggled with adoption due to centralization, as a single mint governed issuance and redemption, creating trust issues and censorship risks.
Bitcoin resolved the double-spend challenge by decentralizing transaction validation across a global network of nodes. While it eliminated the necessity for a trusted mint, it introduced other trade-offs. Transactions remain public, and throughput is inherently limited.
Fedimint seeks to reconcile these models by utilizing Bitcoin as a reserve asset while distributing custody among a federation of independent operators, referred to as guardians. This structure ensures that no single entity governs funds or transaction data, thereby reducing the risk of censorship while safeguarding user privacy.
Fedi’s objective is to empower communities to establish shared financial infrastructures independently of banks or centralized platforms.
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