Balaji Srinivasan's Network School acquires Farcaster from Neynar
Balaji Srinivasan's Network School is acquiring Farcaster from Neynar, rebranding the platform as the Network State Protocol and requiring users to sign a social smart contract to retain active app access.
Balaji Srinivasan's Network School is acquiring decentralized social network Farcaster from Neynar less than nine months after Neynar took over the project, according to reports by The Block and Crypto Briefing. Under the deal, Network School takes control of the Farcaster app, protocol repositories, and related products.[1][2][3][4]
The platform is rebranding to the Network State Protocol, with a stated mission to construct a network of opt-in digital societies designed to eventually materialize in the physical world. While the underlying protocol will remain open, the primary app will introduce AI moderation and proof of humanity. Existing app users must sign a 'social smart contract' by opting to stay—which issues an onchain NFT authorizing the core team to establish app rules—or be restricted to read-only access.[2][3][4]
In a post announcing the deal, team member rish stated that Farcaster required a new operating model following a broad review process and that Network School offered the funding to position the platform as a digital counterpart to physical network states. Most of the Neynar team is set to join Network School to continue development, though rish, Manan, and other team members are moving on after four years.[1]
Key facts
- Network School is acquiring Farcaster from Neynar less than nine months after Neynar assumed ownership.
- The transaction includes the transfer of the Farcaster app, protocol repositories, and related products.
- Farcaster is rebranding as the Network State Protocol and will incorporate AI moderation and proof of humanity.
- App users must sign a social smart contract via an onchain NFT by voting to stay, or they will be dropped to read-only access.
- Most Neynar team members will join Network School, while long-term contributors including rish and Manan are leaving after four years.
Sources · 4 sources
- DN
DEGEN NEWS@DegenerateNewsPost on X ·
NEW: NETWORK SCHOOL IS ACQUIRING @farcaster_xyz https://t.co/PVLx9q3bgR
Open source - CB
Crypto BriefingArticle ·
Network School acquires Farcaster from Neynar, rebrands it as Network State Protocol The acquisition and rebranding could reshape digital social platforms, emphasizing AI moderation and human verification, impacting online community dynamics. The post Network School acquires Farcaster from Neynar, rebrands it as Network State Protocol appeared first on Crypto Briefing .
Open source - TB
The Block@TheBlockCoPost on X ·
THE BLOCK: Balaji Srinivasan’s Network School is acquiring Farcaster from Neynar, less than nine months after Neynar took it over. Rebranded as the Network State Protocol, it will introduce AI moderation and proof of humanity to "build a network of opt-in digital societies which ultimately gets printed out in the physical world."
Open source - TB
The BlockArticle ·
Farcaster acquired by Balaji’s Network School, with new ‘social smart contract’ for users Balaji Srinivasan's Network School acquired Farcaster from Neynar. Users must sign a "social smart contract" or drop to read-only access.
Open source