Protecting intellectual property is crucial for business survival, as seen in the hardware and algorithm design industries.Openly sharing development plans in the blockchain space allows competitors to replicate strategies, leading to fragmentation.Fragmentation in the blockchain market poses challenges for established giants like Bitcoin and Ethereum.Newer projects with larger initial funding can front-run leaders by leveraging open-source development.The transparency of blockchain protocols threatens the market share and growth potential of established chains.Large financial institutions benefit from open-source research without significant contribution back to the community.Implementing more competitive and incentivized models for accessing research data could benefit the ecosystem.Creating knowledge marketplaces based on contributions could enhance collaboration and development in open-source projects.Prioritizing community involvement and trust is crucial for the growth and sustainability of blockchain ecosystems like Ethereum.Balancing openness with strategic data sharing and fostering a committed community can lead to the success of blockchain projects.