In a dynamic Twitter exchange, blockchain luminaries Charles Hoskinson, founder of IOHK, and Michael Liesenfelt, a prominent figure in blockchain analytics, engaged in a spirited discussion regarding the future of the Edinburgh Decentralisation Index (EDI) project. The EDI project by the University of Edinburgh, stands at the precipice of transformation to redefine how blockchain decentralization is understood and measured.
The conversation was initiated by Charles Hoskinson, who shared a blog post from the University of Edinburgh, detailing the EDI team’s latest venture into the realm of blockchain decentralization analysis. Michael Liesenfelt, known for his insightful contributions to the blockchain analytics field, responded with a call for leadership influence within the EDI project.
It sounds like a perfect community project for Fund11 to enhance and fund a scale-up of EDI. If I get involved directly, everyone will say I'm biasing the metrics to make Cardano look better.
— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) October 26, 2023
Liesenfelt advocated for the creation of a dedicated website, individual pages for each blockchain, and visually informative charts akin to those found on platforms like balanceanalytics.io. This proposal was supported by BALANCE Analytics, a Blockchain Intelligence Web App supporting the Cardano Blockchain.
EDI needs your leadership influence. They need a website, a page for each chain, and the relevant charts-of-merit for each category on like https://t.co/VXEExASQ1T
— Michael Liesenfelt (@DrLiesenfelt) October 26, 2023
from @BalanceData22.
EDI: @GilbertStClr and @TheStophe can teach the server-side skills.
In a move that stirred considerable interest, Charles Hoskinson suggested that Fund11, a prominent community fund, could play a pivotal role in enhancing and funding a scale-up of EDI. However, he acknowledged the potential bias that his direct involvement might introduce, given his association with Cardano, a leading blockchain platform. Hoskinson’s cautious approach underscores the commitment to maintaining the project’s integrity and impartiality in evaluating various blockchain systems.
The Edinburgh Decentralisation Index (EDI) project, spearheaded by the EDI team, has introduced a pioneering tool to measure and analyze blockchain decentralization on the consensus layer. This tool, presented in a Command Line Interface (CLI) format, offers an intricate evaluation of various blockchain systems’ decentralization methods, especially concerning block production. Blockchain enthusiasts and researchers alike are now equipped with a robust instrument to delve deeper into the intricate world of decentralized technologies.
The EDI project, known for its meticulous approach to evaluating blockchain decentralization, has identified eight critical dimensions within blockchain systems that exhibit varying degrees of centralization or decentralization. These dimensions include Hardware, Software, Network, Consensus, Tokenomics, API Clients, Governance, and Geography. By assessing these layers, the EDI team provides a comprehensive analysis of blockchain networks’ decentralization levels.
The newly unveiled CLI tool, available on GitHub, enables users to parse datasets containing block data from diverse ledgers. By processing essential block information like timestamps, numbers, and creator details, the tool extracts pertinent data, mapping blocks to their respective creators. The resulting aggregated data is then subjected to a series of decentralization metrics, generating detailed insights presented in easily understandable formats, including CSV files and graphs.
