Unchained ETH Denver Debate: Should Testnet ETH Be Free or Have a Price? - Ep. 464
Mar 7, 2023
In a lively discussion, Bryan Pellegrino, CEO of LayerZero Labs, Greg Markou of Chainsafe, and Ethereum software engineer Matt Garnett dive into the heated debate over whether testnet ETH should be free or priced. Bryan argues that a truly permissionless testnet can't have free tokens, while Greg expresses concern about accessibility for developers. They also analyze the impact of introducing a price on Goerli ETH, the upcoming Sepolia testnet, and innovative solutions for equitable distribution, revealing the complexities and future challenges in the Ethereum ecosystem.
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Goerli ETH Acquisition Challenges
- Bryan Pellegrino described the difficulty of obtaining Goerli ETH for testing.
- He resorted to buying it OTC via Twitter, highlighting the existing scarcity.
Goerli ETH Price Volatility
- LayerZero's tradable Goerli ETH bridge led to speculation and price fluctuations.
- The price reached a high of $1.60 before settling down, impacting accessibility.
Goerli ETH as a Public Good
- Greg Markou argued against pricing Goerli ETH, emphasizing its nature as a free public good.
- He raised concerns about accessibility barriers, especially for newcomers and potential tax implications.