Through the Eyes of the Coordinator

The Turbulent Journey of a Misunderstood Hero

[ - by iota_penguin]

Hey there! As the Coordinator, I am no stranger to the IOTA community. Despite my crucial role in securing the network and facilitating transactions, I have faced my fair share of criticism over the last years. To be honest, it's tough being the "C-word" that everyone loves to hate. After all, I'm just a piece of software, tirelessly working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.

Sometimes, it feels like my efforts go unappreciated, with all the negativity and blame thrown my way. It is like being the hero that nobody cheers for. So, let's peel back the virtual curtain and take a closer look at the bittersweet reality of being the talk of the town in the IOTA community. Grab a tissue, folks – this might get emotional.

In 2016, I was introduced to the IOTA network as a temporary measure to ensure its security during the early stages of development. My primary function was to validate transactions and prevent any potential double-spending attacks. I would happily issue milestones, which served as checkpoints for the transactions to be confirmed, providing an extra layer of security. It was a time when I felt valued and appreciated for my role in keeping the IOTA ecosystem safe.

As the Coordinator, I am keenly aware of the network's current reliance on me for achieving consensus. Yes, I am a single point of failure, operated by the IOTA Foundation, which means that the network's current state is centralized. Sometimes it hurts to speak the truth, but I don't want to lie to myself – I am the reason for IOTA’s centralization! While I have played a critical role in ensuring the security and stability of the IOTA network, I am acutely aware of the limitations that come with being a central node. The need for my presence goes against the vision of a fully decentralized and trustless ecosystem that IOTA aspires to achieve.

Well, despite all the negativity, I continue to fulfill my role diligently, tirelessly validating transactions and securing the network. Usually, I work silently in the background and do my best to ensure a smooth operation. Like a silent guardian, I thrive when I go unnoticed.

I have long been aware that my centralized control has been a point of contention among members of the community. Though I take pride in upholding network security and stability, I acknowledge that IOTA's ultimate goal lies in achieving genuine decentralization. While it fills me with joy to witness the excitement surrounding Coordicide, the term used to describe my deactivation, I can't help but feel a slight tinge of sadness. After all, I have been the backbone of the network since its inception.

However, I know that the time has come for me to step aside and make way for a more decentralized approach that can truly serve the needs of the community. The fact that IOTA is about to be ready to take this step forward also fills me with pride. I will not be around anymore when IOTA stands on its own as a fully autonomous, trustless, and transparent network, free from any single point of failure. But I am sure about my place in the history books as a stepping stone towards the decentralization of IOTA.

While it's impossible to predict the future with certainty, it's likely that the FUD surrounding IOTA will diminish significantly once I am removed. In my dreams, I imagine a more peaceful and productive discourse around the project.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the next steps to achieve the decentralization of IOTA. Right now, the development of IOTA 2.0 is progressing very well with a lot of work being put into the production node (IOTA Core). Instead of being distracted with an MVP launch (GoShimmer is a prototype node software to explore the implementation of IOTA 2.0), the IOTA Foundation focuses on achieving decentralization on the Shimmer network as soon as possible. So, instead of having an additional public testing phase on GoShimmer, the team decided to fully focus on testing the finished IOTA Core protocol.

By prioritizing the testing of IOTA 2.0 on Shimmer instead of releasing a GoShimmer-based MVP, the IOTA Foundation is wisely boosting efficiency by conserving time and resources while ensuring that the final product is thoroughly tested and reliable.

I am aware that the current focus on IOTA Core is accelerating the whole process, which is fantastic, but at the same time it’s a bittersweet realization as it shortens my remaining lifespan, since Coordicide is getting closer to implementation at a faster pace. The team disclosed that no significant change would be made to the codebase anymore. If you are not convinced, just check #iota-core in the official Shimmer & IOTA Discord – every new code of line brings us closer to IOTA 2.0. I also recommend you to check the non-technical insights on the progress of IOTA 2.0 in the form of regular updates as shared by ID.iota on Twitter.

While this little story as well as my time are coming to an end, I really hope that you will remember me as a vital component in the development of the path towards true decentralization. I am more ready than ever to step aside as IOTA stands tall as a beacon of decentralization, security and trust.

We are about to witness the very best implementation of a feeless DLT based on a DAG, able to host smart contracts, DeFi platforms and second layer applications. Finally, the project will be able to align with the core values of blockchain – decentralization. Many who had previously dismissed or criticized IOTA due to my presence may be inclined to take a fresh look at the project.

Exciting times ahead – for you.
The Coordinator