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Riccardo “Fluffypony” Spagni, a former Monero developer, has launched a new mining app called Tari Universe. The app aims to make mining accessible to everyone using a user-friendly interface. However, Spagni faces legal troubles related to fraud and forgery charges. Despite the alleged crimes occurring over a decade ago, South African authorities only took action in 2021.
Democratizing Crypto Mining
Riccardo “Fluffypony” Spagni, a former lead maintainer of the privacy blockchain Monero, has launched a new mining application called Tari Universe. The app aims to “democratize” cryptocurrency mining by using an ASIC-resistant hashing algorithm that allows users to mine tokens with ordinary computers.
In recent remarks following the launch of the app, Spagni stated his goal is to make mining more accessible to everyone.
“We wanted to create an experience where the technology fades into the background. Tari Universe is about empowering users without overwhelming them,” the former Monero developer said.
Meanwhile, Spagni said prospective users can improve their waitlist position by visiting the Tari Universe site and inviting friends to join.
Spagni is promoting the layer one protocol despite facing fraud and forgery charges pressed by his former employer, Cape Cookies. A Mybroadband report in June said Spagni defrauded Cape Cookies of approximately $83,400 between Oct. 1, 2009, and June 8, 2011. However, South African authorities did not take action until August 2021 when they requested U.S. authorities to apprehend him.
Since his arrest and subsequent transfer to South African authorities, Spagni has maintained his innocence, even attempting to have the arrest warrant set aside. However, the South African Supreme Court of Appeal denied this request.
