The Bitcoin press has been abuzz today with the recent call for alpha testers for a “secret Bitcoin project” created by Jed McCaleb. Why all the interest? McCaleb is best known as the creator of the Mt.Gox (which he sold to investor Mark Karpeles in 2011), and one of the innovators behind today’s Bitcoin and virtual currency marketplace. He’s also the co-inventor of rising cryptocurrency Ripple, which made headlines earlier this year after donating $500,000 to artificial intelligence research.
But what exactly is the “secret Bitcoin project,” and why does it need alpha testers?
McCaleb’s site contains few hints. The site’s only public text reads:
When I sold Mt. Gox a few years ago, Bitcoin was trading at less than a dollar. Today Bitcoin exists in a new environment. Mt. Gox is struggling to keep up. Now, I am building something that will be better for Bitcoin and better for you.
I’m looking for alpha testers.
-Jed
Given the pedigree, it’s no surprise that the tech world is more than a little curious about what McCaleb is up to.
We’ll provide more details as they emerge.
