Luke Dashjr, one of the original core developers behind Bitcoin, has recently spoken out against the unauthorized use of his name and code in a misleading NFT auction. In a Twitter thread, Dashjr expressed his concern over the creation and sale of NFTs using his name and code without his consent.
The issue was brought to light when a picture of code Dashjr had written was sold at auction for 0.41 BTC. The auction listing advertised the code as Dashjr’s and presented it to the public for sale and profit. However, Dashjr was not involved in the creation or sale of the NFT and did not consent to use his name or code for this purpose.
Dashjr explained that 3rd parties are marketing his name and code for their own monetary gain and creating confusion in the marketplace. He also highlighted that the auction “winner” contacted him and mistakenly believed they had won an auction of Dashjr’s code.
Bitcoin Core Developer Refuses Donation & Insists On Full Refund
The seller and/or auction site offered Dashjr a donation of 90% of the auction proceeds “should [he] choose to accept it.” However, Dashjr felt that this was a clear attempt to bribe him into silence and obtain his consent after the fact.
He refused the donation and insisted that 100% of the auction proceeds be refunded to the buyer due to the misrepresentation involved and actual buyer confusion.
Dashjr felt compelled to speak out not just for himself but for other Bitcoin developers who have been placed in similar situations. He acknowledged that the amount of money offered as “donations” for acquiescing to what is taking place is considerable, and he does not condone it.
The response to Dashjr’s tweets has been mixed, with some offering support and others questioning the legitimacy and purpose of NFTs. One Twitter user stated that the buyer had been offered a full refund, and if they did not accept it, the full 0.41 Bitcoin would go to OpenSats.
The use of NFTs has become increasingly popular in recent years, with some fetching exorbitant prices at auction. However, this has also led to concerns over the legitimacy and ownership of the underlying assets.
Dashjr’s experience highlights the need for transparency and consent in the creation and sale of NFTs, particularly when it comes to the use of someone’s name or code.
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