Why did DAGLabs pursue a fair launch instead of its original business plan?

DAGLabs shifted to a fair launch after concluding it was the only viable path to give Kaspa a genuine chance at achieving its goals. The original plan was to develop specialized mining hardware (OPoW ASICs), sell them, and distribute their hashrate — a model the team saw as a middle ground between decentralization and commercial sustainability. That plan fell apart due to the immaturity of OPoW ASIC technology, combined with an assessment by DAGLabs leadership and investor Polychain that a pure fair launch was essential for any proof-of-work coin to succeed long-term. For a beginner, this matters because it explains why Kaspa launched without a pre-mine or insider advantage — a deliberate choice, not an accident.