Genesis

bloxberg originated as a decentralized blockchain network to ensure the secure and verifiable time-stamping of research data. Scientific integrity relies on the ability to prove the authenticity and existence of data at a given time. Max Planck Digital Library (MPDL) recognized the potential of blockchain technology in addressing this challenge, leading to the creation of bloxberg in 2019. The network was designed as a decentralized infrastructure for the global scientific community, ensuring the transparent, immutable, and verifiable documentation of research activities.

bloxberg began as a consortium (2019–2022), uniting leading research institutions under the vision of a decentralized scientific blockchain. Governed initially by the Iron Throne, a temporal executive of the bloxberg consortium, it later evolved into the bloxberg Association for the Advancement of Science and Blockchain e.V. (2022–2024), ensuring a more structured and democratic governance model.

However, during the annual general meeting in October 2024, the bloxberg Association for the Advancement of Science and Blockchain e.V. was officially dissolved due to differing perspectives on sustainable financing. The majority of the former association members voted in summer 2024 to sustain bloxberg through membership fees and donations, whereas the Max Planck Society advocated for a funding model based on the existing bloxberg token without membership fees. As a result, an amicable decision was made not to fork the bloxberg blockchain, but instead to dissolve the association.

The bloxberg blockchain is now fully governed by the Max Planck Society (MPG), which plays a central role in shaping its strategic direction, governance, and operations. Committed to providing secure and transparent blockchain solutions for the global scientific community, MPG continues to collaborate with research institutions to drive scientific innovation through decentralized technology.

Disclaimer: The bloxberg brand was originally registered by the Max Planck Society (MPG) in 2020 and remains under its ownership. Any use of the bloxberg name, logo, or related trademarks must comply with the intellectual property rights of the Max Planck Society.

Founders

The eleven founders of the decentralized bloxberg blockchain foresaw the potential of blockchain of science and laid the groundwork for the governance model and the technical infrastructure in 2019

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Sandra Vengadasalam
Friederike Kleinfercher:

University of Belgrade
Aleksandar Marković

University of Nicosia
Soulla Louca

Carnegie Mellon University
Sevin Yeltekin

Georgia Institute of Technology
Vijay Madisetti

IT University of Copenhagen
Roman Beck

University of Kassel
Walter Blocher

University College London
Tomaso Aste

University of Johannesburg
Maria Frahm-Arp

University of Sarajevo School of Economics
Kemal Kačapor

Former Consortium and Association Members

The Consortium of bloxberg | 2019 – 2022

The bloxberg consortium was initiated in February 2019 by the Max Planck Society (MPG) in collaboration with leading research institutions to explore the use of blockchain technology in science. It aimed to provide a decentralized, secure, and transparent infrastructure for researchers, enabling time-stamping, verification, and protection of research data using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). Governance was distributed among participating institutions, for collective decision-making and network maintenance. As bloxberg grew, the need for a structured legal framework became evident, leading to its transition into a formal association in 2022.

The Association of bloxberg | 2022 – 2024

To ensure a more structured governance model, the bloxberg Association for the Advancement of Science and Blockchain e.V. was established in 2022, introducing a legal entity for accountability, structured membership, and formalized voting. However, due to differences over sustainable financing, a consensual decision was made in October 2024 to dissolve the association. Instead of forking the blockchain, governance fully reverted to the Max Planck Society, ensuring its continued mission in collaboration with research institutions.

Global research organizations played a key role in governing the bloxberg blockchain.