Alexander Spiegelman, Research Director at Aptos, has publicly accused Monad of copying Aptos’ open-source technology. His criticism has ignited a heated debate in the blockchain community, with Monad’s co-founder offering a sharp rebuttal.
What are the Allegations?
Spiegelman took to social media, questioning why Monad took so long to replicate Aptos’ technology. He pointed out that Aptos’ code is openly available and backed by peer-reviewed research.
“I really don’t understand why it takes so much time for Monad to copy Aptos tech,” he said. “It would be much easier for you guys if you stop trying to hide it and just copy directly. Learn from Movement—they proudly copy and are doing great.”
Reply From Monad Co-Founder
Monad’s co-founder quickly dismissed the allegations. He argued that the principles behind Monad’s technology predate Aptos by decades. “Optimistic concurrency control was discovered in 1979, before your parents met each other,” he stated.
He also mentioned his past work on software transactional memory (STM) in Haskell, implying that Aptos had no exclusive claim to these concepts.
He further clarified that he had never examined Aptos’ code. “I’ve never looked at any Aptos code, in fact, I never think about Aptos except when you post nonsense like this,” he responded. He also insisted that Monad properly cites any consensus-related research in its documentation and papers.
APT Surges Amid Controversy
Amid the public exchange, Aptos’ native token (APT) has seen a strong price surge. Over the past 24 hours, APT has risen by 9%, reaching $6.60. Analysts attribute this spike to a “community takeover” driven by a social media figure known as BuzzlamicJihad.
Following key leadership changes, the price rally comes at a crucial time for Aptos. In December 2024, co-founder and CEO Mo Shaikh announced his departure from Aptos Labs to “start a new chapter.” His exit left Avery Ching, the other co-founder, to take over as CEO.
What’s Next for Aptos and Monad?
The ongoing debate raises questions about intellectual property in the blockchain space, where open-source code is common. While Aptos and Monad continue to develop their respective technologies, the community remains divided over whether Monad’s approach is legitimate innovation or outright copying.
As Aptos sees renewed interest from its community and price action strengthens, it remains to be seen whether this controversy will fuel further growth—or expose deeper tensions within the blockchain sector.
Also Read: Aptos Expands Global Reach with New Office in ADGM, Abu Dhabi’s International Financial Center