Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin encouraged the cryptocurrency industry to adopt the “CopyLeft” open source license because of concerns that the industry is losing contact with its collaborative roots.
In the new issued On Monday, Butling said he was a former fan of the software’s “loose approach” licenseThis makes free sharing with everyone free to share, but has now begun to favor a “copy” approach.
There is a subtle difference between the two. Allow the license to allow the public to freely modify or distribute source code files. The CopyLeft license does the same, but requires users to open source any derivative works using the original code.
“I usually don’t like copyright and patents philosophically,” Buterin explain.
Buterin transfer to CopyLeft open source license
He added: “I don’t like the data that two people share each other’s data privately, which can be considered a crime against a third party that they don’t touch or even communicate with.”
Butling said he is warming “copy level” because open source has become mainstream and “pushing more practical to its businesses.”
However, he recognizes the potential drawbacks in the “copy power” approach, as it can be too restrictive or mandatory, especially if the code is not publicly distributed but still has to be shared.
Why I used to like permissioned licenses, now I like CopyLefthttps://t.co/apghy0y0kx
– vitalik.eth (@vitalikbuterin) July 7, 2025
copyleft in cryptocurrency space
Buterin highlights changes in the cryptocurrency space, becoming more competitive and less cooperative, which weakens the old open source ideal of voluntarily sharing code.
“In particular, crypto spaces become more competitive and mercenaries, we have less ability than before because people work purely out of kindness.”
Voluntary sharing is not enough, he said, and it must be accompanied by the “hard force” of providing only some code to open people.
Related: Encryption should be about freeing people, not esoteric technology – Vitalik Butling
He added that CopyLeft is licensed in the reciprocity of the cryptocurrency force to ensure innovation benefits the entire community, not just some closed actors.
He concluded that CopyLeft would create “large code” or other creative products that would only be used legally if the user is willing to share the source code of anything they build.
“Therefore, copy power can be seen as a very broad neutral way to inspire more diffusion and gain the benefits of the above policies without many drawbacks.”
excitation Open source Buterin said it is most valuable when it is neither realistic nor guaranteed, adding that the benefits of CopyLeft today are much greater than 15 years ago.
Crypto venture capitalist Adam Cochran agreewrote: “In some practical edge cases, copyleft is problematic, but generally consistent with philosophy.”
Related: Dogecoin is set to rebound? Ripple Eyes US Bank License: Hodler’s Digest
