Qitmeer Network solemnly declares: resist plagiarism and defend technological innovation

13 min readNov 19, 2024

Qitmeer Network has always adhered to the principles of technological innovation, dedicating itself to continuous exploration and development in the blockchain field, while upholding the values of originality and open-source philosophy. Since its establishment in 2018, we have focused on developing efficient, decentralized blockchain solutions based on the MeerDAG consensus.

However, we recently discovered that the “BlockDAG Network” project (hereinafter referred to as BlockDAG, specifically referring to this project, not the BlockDAG technology itself) has, without authorization, systematically plagiarized the core design of the Qitmeer network across multiple key technical areas. This has severely infringed upon our intellectual property rights and has had a negative impact on the integrity of the blockchain industry. We are deeply shocked and regretful, and we have decided to publicly expose this behavior.

We call on the industry to jointly resist such unfair practices in order to safeguard the spirit of blockchain technological innovation and the principles of fair competition.

1. Evidence of Plagiarism and Key Findings

Lack of Originality in a Minimal Codebase

The “BlockDAG Network” project currently has only four publicly available code repositories, all of which lack originality. It comprises just two developers, and its core repository, blockdag-scripts consists merely of simple shell scripts that wrap a wallet program and a node launched via Docker containers..
In contrast, Qitmeer Network has released 48 distinct code repositories, with the earliest commits traceable back to 2018. For instance, our core repository has over 5,500 commits, showcasing the substantial technical accumulation and continuous innovation our team has achieved over the years.

99.9% Code Overlap and Lack of Core Innovation, Using Qitmeer’s Unique Naming Conventions

In Qitmeer Network’s code, the “Q”/“q” prefix in variable names carry special significance, representing Qitmeer Network’s distinctive symbols. These naming conventions permeate the entire technical architecture and development philosophy, serving to identify Qitmeer’s unique network environment and token units. For example, “QIT” represents the smallest unit of Qitmeer, while “MEER” represents its larger token unit. These symbols are a core part of Qitmeer Network, widely used in the code to distinguish Qitmeer from other networks.

In our investigation of the “BlockDAG Network” project, we compared its wallet configuration files with Qitmeer-wallet’s original configuration files. The result shows that, aside from replacing “qitmeer” with “bdag”, the structure, sequence, variable naming, and prompt content of the files are almost identical, with a code overlap of up to 99%. This high degree of repetition not only shows a lack of innovation but also exposes the BlockDAG project’s direct plagiarism of Qitmeer Network.

It is particularly noteworthy that although the developers of the BlockDAG project replaced “qitmeer” with “bdag” in the configuration files, they retained Qitmeer Network’s naming conventions for “Q”/“q”. This indicates a direct copying of Qitmeer’s technical framework and naming conventions, without any meaningful modification or innovation.

Moreover, the transaction fee section in the configuration files further reveals the plagiarized nature of the project. In Qitmeer’s configuration files, the transaction fee is defined as:

MinTxFee=20000 # The minimum transaction fee in QIT/KB default 20000 (aka. 0.0002 MEER/KB)

Here, the token units, “QIT” (the smallest unit) and “MEER” (the larger unit), follow Qitmeer’s strict naming conventions, which are deeply embedded in Qitmeer’s core code. In contrast, the BlockDAG project’s modified configuration file defines the transaction fee as:

MinTxFee=20000 # The minimum transaction fee in bdag/KB default 20000 (aka. 0.0002 BDAG/KB)

Despite the developers’ attempt to cover up their plagiarism by changing the capitalization of BDAG， token units are not case-sensitive. This sleight of hand attempt only exposes their effort to obscure the fact of plagiarism.

Wallet Application: A Rebranded “Replica”

After downloading and running the wallet program provided by BlockDAG, we found that its version number, runtime structure, and documentation are identical to those of Qitmeer Wallet.
Notably, the “dirty” tag in the version number (which indicates that the code has been modified) was not removed, which clearly suggests that the developers hastily released it after directly modifying Qitmeer Wallet’s code.

Qitmeer Wallet Version: qitmeer-wallet version 0.10.0 (Go version go1.22.4)
BlockDAG Wallet Version: blockdag-wallet version 0.10.0+dev-d1b1122-dirty (Go version go1.22.4)

Although BlockDAG added the +dev-d1b1122 suffix, the “dirty” tag was not cleared. This shows that the version is still compiled with uncleaned modified code, and this obvious oversight directly exposes the reality of the plagiarism. More importantly, this sloppy handling highlights the lack of professionalism and the opportunistic mindset of the developers.

Moreover, this program, which has not undergone sufficient testing or review, poses significant risks in terms of code quality and security. Would you trust and run a program that clearly has such issues?

Below are screenshots comparing parts of the code:

Striking Similarities in Wallet Creation Process

After analyzing the wallet creation script provided by “BlockDAG Network”, we found that it essentially just wraps the wallet program with a simple expect script to facilitate an interactive dialogue between the user and the wallet program. This script automatically transfers input data and saves the output to specific files (e.g., wallet.txt).

We examined how the script works and ran the blockdag-wallet program to create a wallet. The entire account creation process, structure, and even every prompt and output message were identical to Qitmeer Wallet, with not a single difference in punctuation or text formatting.

In a more detailed comparison, we noticed an interesting phenomenon: when we deliberately typed “ok” (lowercase) instead of the required “OK” (uppercase) at the same input location, both wallet programs behaved identically, rejecting the input and displaying an error message for the lowercase “ok”. This subtle but crucial similarity further confirms that the two wallet programs are virtually identical.

This high degree of similarity not only reveals the plagiarism in BlockDAG’s wallet creation process but also highlights the lack of innovation and independent thinking from its development team.

This seemingly minor yet critical similarity further confirms that these two wallet programs are almost identical.

Below is a partial comparison of the wallet create code:

Striking Similarities in Key Management Tools

We downloaded and analyzed the key management tool provided by “BlockDAG Network” and compared it with Qitmeer’s qx tool. After a thorough examination, we were surprised to find that they are almost identical, with no differences even in the smallest details.

The qx tool is a command-line utility used by Qitmeer for key generation and management, similar to Bitcoin's bx tool. The “qx” in its name represents Qitmeer’s unique identifier, reflecting its proprietary nature in technical implementation. It is important to note that Qitmeer has not released the qx codebase separately, so other developers cannot modify its naming. Therefore, Qitmeer’s unique naming conventions and tool implementations are strictly protected.

However, when we analyzed the same-named qx tool provided by “BlockDAG Network”, we found that it also uses Qitmeer’s proprietary algorithms, such as blake2b256 and blake2b512. These algorithms are core components of Qitmeer’s key management and data encryption processes. This discovery clearly indicates that “BlockDAG Network’s” key management tool is virtually identical to Qitmeer’s qx tool in its code implementation, with no innovations or modifications in the algorithms or technical details.

Below is a partial code comparison:

When we used the qx tools of both BlockDAG and Qitmeer to generate wallet addresses, we were shocked to find that these two tools, which are supposed to belong to different blockchain networks, generated addresses in exactly the same format. Normally, different blockchain networks have their own unique address formats and network identifiers, which are typically distinguished by address prefixes, derivation paths, or other format characteristics. However, the address format generated by BlockDAG’s tool was identical to Qitmeer's, raising serious questions about its independence.

Further analysis revealed that pkaddr is a proprietary payment public key format developed by Qitmeer, designed for cross-chain interaction between Qitmeer’s UTXO network and MeerEVM network. Surprisingly, this unique public key format also appeared in BlockDAG Network’s tool, which clearly points to a high degree of similarity in the technical implementation, effectively suggesting direct copying.

Moreover, we discovered an important detail: the version number of Qitmeer’s qx tool is Qx Version: "1.2.0+dev"and the version number of BlockDAG's qx tool is also listed asQx Version: "1.2.0+dev" This is clearly no coincidence, indicating that BlockDAG directly copied Qitmeer’s versioning scheme. This exact match in version control further deepens suspicions of plagiarism.

These findings undeniably reveal that the BlockDAG project has engaged in significant plagiarism across multiple key technical aspects. From wallet address formats and core public key algorithms to version control, BlockDAG has almost entirely copied Qitmeer’s essential features in both technical implementation and naming conventions.

Striking Similarity in Node Programs

Similar to the wallet program, “BlockDAG Network” has not made the source code of its node program available for compilation. Instead, it has packaged the node software into a Docker container and provided only a compiled executable file. This approach lacks technical transparency and prevents users from verifying the source and development process of the code, which clearly contradicts the fundamental principles of decentralization and open-source spirit in blockchain technology.

Upon an in-depth analysis of its node configuration and parameters, we found that the BlockDAG network’s node setup almost entirely replicates the operational settings of the Qitmeer network, including critical configurations like port numbers. Specifically, the default port numbers in BlockDAG’s configuration — 8130, 18545, and 18546 — are exactly the same as those officially registered and publicly used by Qitmeer for its mainnet and testnet chain IDs (813 and 8131). While the chain ID for the BlockDAG network is 24171, showing no direct correlation, the reuse of these port numbers is unlikely to be a coincidence. Instead, it seems to be an oversight when modifying key naming conventions.

What is even more concerning is that BlockDAG has not only copied the port number selection but has also directly undermined the uniqueness of the Qitmeer network through these highly similar settings. This behavior not only reflects plagiarism in its technical implementation but may also serve as a deliberate market manipulation tactic. By using Qitmeer’s port numbers, BlockDAG may be attempting to create a technical association with the Qitmeer network, confusing users and misleading them into perceiving it as a related project. This could enable BlockDAG to unfairly capitalize on the technical and market value associated with Qitmeer.

We continued to run the BlockDAG node and compared its output logs, which left us astonished: the structure and content of the logs were almost identical to those of the Qitmeer node, with the only difference being minor changes in network names, seemingly made to obscure its true origin. Nevertheless, the output data structure and content still retained a 99% similarity, further exposing the potential for plagiarism.

Here is the BlockDAG Network node run log:

Here is the Qitmeer Network node run log:

Conclusion

After a comprehensive investigation of the BlockDAG Network project, we have found that the project systematically plagiarizes the core design of the Qitmeer network across multiple key technical aspects. Specifically, BlockDAG has nearly completely copied Qitmeer’s technical implementations in areas such as code architecture, naming conventions, wallet programs, key management tools, and node configuration. While BlockDAG has made superficial modifications (such as changing some names), its core code structure, functional logic, and technical implementation remain highly consistent with Qitmeer, with a replication rate of up to 99%.
More seriously, BlockDAG not only plagiarizes Qitmeer’s core code and functionality but also mirrors Qitmeer in version management and version control. Specifically, BlockDAG uses the exact same version number as Qitmeer and retains the “dirty” tag in the code, indicating that the code has not been properly tested or optimized, showing clear signs of rough development. This behavior further exposes BlockDAG’s irresponsible approach to project development and its attempt to hide its plagiarism by relying on incomplete technical components.
Additionally, the BlockDAG project attempts to mislead users by disguising and covering up its technical details, attempting to gain improper market benefits through highly similar technical implementations to Qitmeer. Whether it is the wallet address format, the algorithm implementation in the key management tools, or the node configuration and port settings, BlockDAG has almost entirely copied Qitmeer’s design, and even retained Qitmeer’s identifiers in logs, configuration files, and other details.
These findings conclusively demonstrate that BlockDAG’s technical implementation was not independently developed but rather plagiarized from Qitmeer’s innovations to gain a competitive advantage in the market.

2. Qitmeer Network Position Statement

Upholding Open Source Values, Firmly Opposing Plagiarism

Qitmeer Network has always been committed to the core values of open source, striving to promote technological innovation through open frameworks and foster global collaboration and progress among developers. The essence of open source lies in sharing and cooperation to encourage technical exchange and ecosystem prosperity, not in providing cover for unauthorized appropriation of technology.

The BlockDAG Network project has directly copied and exploited Qitmeer Network’s technological achievements without authorization, which constitutes a severe violation of Qitmeer’s intellectual property rights and demonstrates a lack of independent technical innovation or accumulation.

While open source licenses allow code usage under specific conditions, users must clearly credit the original source and ensure that their use complies with ethical and legal standards. BlockDAG Network’s actions not only violate the fundamental requirements of the open source license but also diverge from the spirit of cooperation promoted by open source, damaging the technical standards and integrity of the blockchain industry.

Qitmeer Network strongly condemns such infringement and reaffirms its firm stance on intellectual property protection. We call on all stakeholders in the industry to adhere to open source principles, respect technological originality, and jointly safeguard the standardized development of the blockchain ecosystem, making positive contributions to advancing technology and innovation.

The Harm of Plagiarism to BlockDAG’s Technological Ecosystem

BlockDAG Network’s unauthorized copying of Qitmeer Network’s core technological achievements not only severely infringes upon our intellectual property but also has significant negative impacts on the BlockDAG technical ecosystem. This behavior casts doubt on the originality and innovation of BlockDAG technology, damaging its global reputation as a cutting-edge blockchain solution. Furthermore, it undermines trust within the developer community, potentially limiting global adoption and market acceptance of technology, which could, in turn, affect the long-term development of the entire ecosystem.

Technological Innovation Stems from Original Contributions

Qitmeer Network firmly believes that true technological innovation should stem from a deep understanding of technology and original contributions, not on plagiarizing the work of others for short-term gain. We are committed to advancing technological progress and industry development by continuously expanding the boundaries of technology through independent research and accumulation. We support global developers collaborating and innovating on open platforms, but we make it clear that plagiarism cannot drive innovation. Technological progress should be rooted in respecting intellectual property and the spirit of originality, driving meaningful industry transformation.

Intellectual Property Protection and Legal Recourse

In response to BlockDAG Network’s plagiarism, Qitmeer Network has initiated a legal evaluation process and reserves the right to take further action under relevant laws. We will pursue legal channels to hold those responsible accountable, ensuring that our technological achievements and intellectual property remain protected and safeguarding the legitimate rights of our community members. We firmly believe that intellectual property protection is the cornerstone of sustainable and healthy development in the technology industry.

Raising Awareness of Risks and Potential Dangers

Given BlockDAG Network’s lack of technical accumulation and ecosystem development capabilities, we express serious concern about the potential risks it poses to investors and community members. By using improper means to replicate technology and attempting to gain quick profits, the project may bring trust risks and asset losses. Therefore, we urge community members to remain highly vigilant when considering participation in such projects, carefully evaluate them, and avoid unnecessary losses due to trust in unverified projects.

3. Commitment and Outlook

Qitmeer Network is dedicated to advancing blockchain technology through innovation and application. Our continuous exploration of BlockDAG technology, the MeerDAG consensus protocol, and advancements in scalability and security has enabled us to accumulate significant technological advantages. Looking ahead, we will maintain our focus on industry breakthroughs and application innovations, striving to create a more open, transparent, and secure ecosystem for global blockchain developers.

We firmly believe that ongoing innovation and open collaboration are essential for the healthy development of the blockchain industry. In the future, Qitmeer Network will continue to optimize its technical architecture, expand application scenarios, and strengthen partnerships with developers worldwide to collectively drive technological progress and industry growth.

We also urge developers, investors, and supporters in the blockchain community to focus on and advocate for the truth, resist plagiarism, and uphold fairness and transparency within the ecosystem. Together, let us promote a technological environment that respects originality and fosters innovation, protecting the healthy development of our industry.