09 Feb 2025

light mode

Merit Systems Raises $10M for Open-Source Attribution Protocol

Merit Systems Raises $10M for Open-Source Attribution Protocol

Merit Systems raised $10M to build an attribution protocol that tracks contributions and fairly rewards developers, paving the way for less dependence on external funding in open-source projects.

On this page

On January 16, 2024, the tech startup Merit Systems raised $10 million in its seed funding round. Leading the investment were Andreessen Horowitz and Blockchain Capital, well-known supporters of crypto-focused ventures.

https://twitter.com/CNBC/status/1879940336253915375

Merit Systems is creating an attribution protocol tailored for open-source software. The tool will track contributors’ efforts and fairly distribute rewards based on the value they generate.

Merit’s founders envision a future where open-source projects thrive under a more sustainable financial model. By moving beyond dependence on donations and corporate sponsorships, they aim to prioritize fair rewards based on actual contributions to the project’s success.

The platform will incorporate an advanced attribution system into tools like GitHub, allowing investors to fund targeted codebases and providing developers with incentives to work more efficiently and effectively.

Ryan Sproule, Sam Ragsdale, and Mason Hall, the founders of Merit Systems, bring a robust background in tech and crypto to the venture. Sproul worked at Blockchain Capital, while Hall and Ragsdale developed their skills as part of Andreessen Horowitz’s investment teams.

In its seed round, Merit Systems raised $10 million, elevating its valuation to $55.5 million.

Why Merit is the Solution Open-Source Needs

Open-source software frequently grapples with the challenge of sustainable financing. While developers contribute their time and expertise, fair remuneration is often out of reach. This leaves projects reliant on donations or corporate funding, limiting their ability to grow and maintain independence.

Funding in the open-source space is far from equal: popular projects enjoy ample support, while lesser-known efforts are often neglected. This imbalance harms the ecosystem’s diversity and growth.

Merit addresses these challenges with its attribution protocol, designed to track and reward contributions proportionally. By ensuring fair compensation, it establishes a sustainable foundation for open-source innovation.

The content on The Coinomist is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content. Neither we accept liability for any errors or omissions in the information provided or for any financial losses incurred as a result of relying on this information. Actions based on this content are at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult a professional. See our Terms, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers for more details.

Articles by this author

Latest News

MORE
Winklevoss Twins Consider IPO for Gemini Exchange

Winklevoss Twins Consider IPO for Gemini Exchange

The Winklevoss twins, Cameron and Tyler, are reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO) for their cryptocurrency exchange, Gemini. If successful, this move would place Gemini among the growing list of crypto companies entering public markets.

09 Feb 2025
Trump Jr. States That Crypto Is America’s Path to Global Dominance

Trump Jr. States That Crypto Is America’s Path to Global Dominance

The crypto community has taken notice of Donald Trump Jr.’s latest remarks. Speaking at the Ondo Finance Summit in New York, he asserted that cryptocurrencies will play a crucial role in maintaining America’s global economic leadership.

07 Feb 2025
Rep. Green Criticizes TRUMP Coin at Congress Hearing

Rep. Green Criticizes TRUMP Coin at Congress Hearing

On February 6, the U.S. House Financial Services Committee held a hearing entitled “Operation Choke Point 2.0: The Biden Administration’s Effort to Put Crypto in the Crosshairs.”

07 Feb 2025
NFL Rivals Expands Web3 Gaming With Super Bowl NFT Cards

NFL Rivals Expands Web3 Gaming With Super Bowl NFT Cards

NFL Rivals, the blockchain-powered football game from Mythical Games, is rolling out a special in-game event to celebrate the biggest football showdown of the year.

07 Feb 2025

Latest News Alt

MORE
Weekly Analysis of BTC, ETH, and the Stock Market (Jan 27, 2025)

Weekly Analysis of BTC, ETH, and the Stock Market (Jan 27, 2025)

An overview of BTC, ETH, XAUT, and S&P500 charts, and the current cryptocurrency market dynamics.

27 Jan 2025
Weekly Analysis of BTC, ETH, and the Stock Market (Jan 13, 2025)

Weekly Analysis of BTC, ETH, and the Stock Market (Jan 13, 2025)

An overview of BTC, ETH, XAUT, and S&P500 charts, and the current cryptocurrency market dynamics.

13 Jan 2025
Weekly Analysis of BTC, ETH, and the Stock Market (Jan 6, 2025)

Weekly Analysis of BTC, ETH, and the Stock Market (Jan 6, 2025)

An overview of BTC, ETH, XAUT, and S&P500 charts, along with the current cryptocurrency market dynamics.

06 Jan 2025

Might Be Interesting

MORE
How Blockchain Helps Combat Disinformation

How Blockchain Helps Combat Disinformation

Fake news has become a global issue, shaping public opinion, fueling social tensions, and even influencing political decisions. With the rise of social media, the spread of misinformation has accelerated, making it increasingly difficult to regulate. However, blockchain technology offers a promising solution in the fight against fake news.

07 Feb 2025
Trading Psychology: How to Avoid Falling Victim to Your Own Biases

Trading Psychology: How to Avoid Falling Victim to Your Own Biases

The most successful traders aren’t always the smartest. More often, those who excel are the ones who understand psychological traps, manage their emotions, and maintain rationality under pressure.

03 Feb 2025
Liquidity Pools — The Engine Driving DeFi

Liquidity Pools — The Engine Driving DeFi

Liquidity pools fuel DeFi by enabling instant token swaps, but what exactly are they? These crowdsourced reserves make decentralized trading possible—but they also come with risks. Here’s what you need to know before diving in.

31 Jan 2025
Bitcoin Name Service — Making Web3 Addresses Easier to Read

Bitcoin Name Service — Making Web3 Addresses Easier to Read

As the Bitcoin blockchain evolves, new opportunities are emerging for users to interact with DEX technologies. One of the major advancements is the Bitcoin Name Service (BNS)—a protocol that replaces complex web3 addresses with names that are easy for humans to understand.

29 Jan 2025
How to Withdraw Bitcoin from PayPal: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Withdraw Bitcoin from PayPal: A Step-by-Step Guide

PayPal is one of the most popular online payment platforms. In 2022, it introduced features that allow users to transact with cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC). However, withdrawing crypto from PayPal is not as straightforward as transferring fiat funds. This guide will walk you through the process of withdrawing Bitcoin from PayPal.

29 Jan 2025
Crypto Wallet Backups: Are You Truly Ready for Self-Custody?

Crypto Wallet Backups: Are You Truly Ready for Self-Custody?

Being your own bank is one of the great perks of crypto. It’s perfect for those who want extra security or believe in decentralization. But self-custody isn’t exactly a walk in the park – you’ve got to master the art of backups because you’re the only one responsible for your assets.

28 Jan 2025

Opinions

Super Bowl Bets Under Fire: CFTC Probes Kalshi and Crypto.com

Super Bowl Bets Under Fire: CFTC Probes Kalshi and Crypto.com

The Super Bowl, the largest sporting event in the US, has more to it than just the competition. The exciting show and, of course, commercials and bets are a big part of it, too. The winner will become known as early as tomorrow. Not everything always goes smoothly, though.

08 Feb 2025
Arthur Hayes — Is Trump’s Crypto Policy Setting a Trap?

Arthur Hayes — Is Trump’s Crypto Policy Setting a Trap?

Arthur Hayes, in The Genie, argues that Trump’s crypto agenda might not be what it seems. Could regulatory changes lead to unexpected consequences? Read our full breakdown.

07 Feb 2025
MORE

Interviews

“Satoshi is CIA”: Swedish crypto bro opens up about his Bitcoin journey

“Satoshi is CIA”: Swedish crypto bro opens up about his Bitcoin journey

The first crypto craze took place almost a decade ago. Overnight, many people found out about Bitcoin and its underlying technology, blockchain.

31 Jan 2025
Dmytro Gordon and Volodymyr Nosov: A Sensational Interview

Dmytro Gordon and Volodymyr Nosov: A Sensational Interview

Volodymyr Nosov, CEO of Europe’s largest crypto exchange WhiteBIT, sat down with Dmytro Gordon, one of Ukraine’s most prominent journalists. The interview touched on Bitcoin, crypto, WhiteBIT, cars, keys to success, and business vision.

18 Dec 2024
MORE