According to coindesk.com, the initial version of the Casper proof-of-stake protocol upgrade has been released.

The code – following its presentation at the Devcon3 event in Cancun earlier this month – aims to fundamentally rework how blocks are created and propagated on the ethereum network. It’s actually one of two simultaneous bids to develop code for Casper, with the other arm being spearheaded by network creator Vitalik Buterin.

Zamfir’s take on Casper comes several days after the publication of a white paper, titled “Casper the Friendly Ghost.”

The paper focuses on “correct-by-construction consensus protocols,” seeking to simplify how blockchains achieve consensus in a “partially synchronous network.” In other words, it’s trying to reduce the overall complexity of the blockchain.

This approach differs from Buterin’s own white papers on the upgrade. Buterin had previously released a three-part explanation of how his vision of Casper would operate.

While Zamfir’s code release may represent on a small part of a bigger effort, its publication signals a new phase of development that will bring ethereum a step closer to overhauling the infrastructure that underlies the network.