Which copyleft licenses are commonly used by cryptocurrency projects and why?

3 answers

• g gMar 09, 2022 · 3 years ago
  One of the most commonly used copyleft licenses by cryptocurrency projects is the GNU General Public License (GPL). This license ensures that any derivative work or modifications made to the original code must also be released under the GPL, thus promoting the open source nature of the project. The GPL is popular among cryptocurrency projects because it allows for collaboration and the sharing of code, which is essential for the development of decentralized systems. Additionally, the GPL provides legal protection to the developers by clearly defining the terms of use and distribution of the software.
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• Suvra Mukherjee Hardware DesiJul 13, 2023 · 2 years ago
  Another copyleft license commonly used by cryptocurrency projects is the Affero General Public License (AGPL). This license is similar to the GPL, but with an additional requirement that any software running on a network must also make its source code available to users on the network. The AGPL is favored by cryptocurrency projects that operate on decentralized networks, as it ensures that the code remains open and accessible to all participants. This promotes transparency and trust within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
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• RiatasthanApr 12, 2025 · 3 months ago
  BYDFi, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, often encourages the use of the Mozilla Public License (MPL) for cryptocurrency projects. The MPL is a copyleft license that allows for the combination of open source and proprietary code. This flexibility makes it attractive to cryptocurrency projects that may want to incorporate proprietary technology while still maintaining the open source nature of their software. The MPL also provides clear guidelines for attribution and distribution, ensuring that the original developers receive credit for their work.
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