An iEtherean Tale #83

An imaginary iEtherean tale based on true stories, real events, news, articles and/or facts…

The fluorescent lights of MIT’s high-tech lecture hall glowed a cool, clinical white, bathing the rows of sleek, metallic desks in a steady, futuristic gleam. Projectors hummed quietly from the ceiling, casting vivid slides of charts and blockchain schematics across the front wall. Rows of touchscreens gleamed at each desk, filled with complex code and a digital landscape of flashing prices and cryptographic formulas. Professor Live Kepin stood at the front of the room, his piercing blue eyes darting across the sea of youthful, anxious faces.

Live Kepin—a tall, charismatic figure with an air of authority softened by a genuine warmth—was known for his cutting-edge insights and his willingness to tackle even the murkiest topics of blockchain economics. Today, his mission was to unravel the enigma of iEthereum’s wild price fluctuations for his captivated yet perplexed audience.

As he adjusted his stylish glasses, Kepin glanced over his shoulder at a fluctuating chart of iEthereum’s price, wavering dramatically between $0.02 and $0.13. Just beneath the price line, he’d written: “The Arbitraged iEthereum Opportunity.”

“Kepin’s at it again!” a wiry student with bright eyes muttered to his neighbor. This was Jackson “Jax” Li, a cryptocurrency enthusiast with a penchant for conspiracy theories. Next to him sat Emily Thompson, her brow furrowed with intense focus as she scribbled questions in the margins of her notebook. Her long, curly brown hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and she bit her lip as she tried to piece together the intricate patterns Kepin was weaving.

“Everyone ready for a dive into the unknown?” Kepin asked, his voice a steady, magnetic tone that both calmed and intrigued his students.

“Ready, Professor!” piped up Leo Vargas, a new student known for his loud opinions and broad-shouldered confidence. Kepin smiled; Leo’s brash attitude often added a touch of humor to his lectures.

Kepin leaned against the podium and began, “Today, we’re going to dissect why iEthereum, unlike most cryptocurrencies, fluctuates so wildly in price. For those new to this, iEthereum is an ERC-20 token with an immutable supply of 18 million units, and it oscillates dramatically within a range of $0.02 to $0.13.”

As Kepin outlined the theories surrounding iEthereum, he found his explanations prompting reactions that ranged from looks of wide-eyed fascination to frustrated sighs and even an amused snicker here and there.

“Now, let’s start with my first theory: Low Volume Coin Dynamics. Low trading volume often results in more exaggerated price movements, and iEthereum pairs primarily with BTC and ETH. When those two fluctuate, so does iEthereum—without a single transaction needing to happen.”

Emily raised her hand, voice barely above a whisper, “So... if Bitcoin or Ethereum fluctuate, iEthereum does too, even though it’s not being traded?”

“Exactly, Emily!” Kepin replied, thrilled to see her pushing through her natural shyness. “It’s called ghost fluctuation—a change caused entirely by external value shifts in the base currencies without direct interaction. But here’s where it gets stranger.”

Kepin adjusted his glasses and tapped his pen thoughtfully. “Theory Two: The CoinGecko Double Contract Mystery. CoinGecko might be reading two different iEthereum contracts. Back in 2020, an ‘iEthereum Red’ version briefly emerged. It had the same logo, but with a red outline instead of blue. That contract isn’t even active anymore, but some data feeds seem to confuse the two, leading to odd reported values.”

Across the room, Jax’s eyes gleamed with a conspiratorial excitement. “So, Professor, are you saying CoinGecko might be, like, colluding to mess with iEthereum’s price?” he asked, leaning forward with anticipation.

Kepin chuckled, his smile wry. “Not exactly, Jax. Data inconsistencies don’t require an intentional conspiracy. But I’ll give you this—it certainly makes things look suspicious.”

Jax winked at Emily, mouthing, “It’s a conspiracy, all right.” Emily rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed a shared curiosity.

Kepin paused, then launched into his third and most controversial theory. “Theory Three: Price Manipulation. Imagine someone, or some entity, intentionally trying to constrain iEthereum’s value—keeping it hidden, obscure. By holding down its price and obscuring its presence, they can deter adoption and keep it off the radar. Maybe even… institutions?”

He gave the class a loaded look, letting the implications linger. A murmur rippled through the room.

“So… like the Federal Reserve?” Leo blurted, earning a few giggles and whispers.

Kepin held up his hand, silencing the students with a single authoritative glance. “Let’s avoid jumping to conclusions. Think about it logically—an entity might manipulate a low-volume coin for simpler observation. The result? Low visibility, low adoption, and fewer interested parties meddling in its affairs.”

The class was silent, enraptured by the strange possibilities Kepin presented. Yet the gears in their minds had begun to turn. The theories hung in the air like a charged cloud, a potent mix of truth, conjecture, and the beginnings of a scandal.

After class, Emily lingered near the door, scribbling more notes. She didn’t notice Kepin standing next to her until he gently tapped her notebook. “Confused?”

Emily laughed nervously, tucking a curl behind her ear. “Honestly, a little. It all makes sense, but...”

“Hard to believe, right?” Kepin finished for her. He nodded, then added in a whisper, “The truth often is.”

The rumors began that afternoon. In hushed tones and clandestine conversations across the MIT campus, Kepin’s theories transformed from classroom speculation into fully-fledged conspiracy. Jax had already fired off a thread on an anonymous online forum, his posts buzzing with phrases like, iEthereum Price Suppressed by Unknown Entity and Professor Kepin Spills the Truth. Students whispered about Kepin’s involvement, wondering if he had insider knowledge, if he might be hiding something himself.

Kepin noticed the shift immediately. The usual friendly nods became furtive glances, and students’ questions were laced with suspicion.

During his office hours, Kepin found himself face-to-face with a new student: an intense-looking young woman with sharp eyes and a cool, calculated demeanor. Her name was Margo Fletcher, a recent transfer and finance major, notorious for her investigative streak. She didn’t waste time with pleasantries.

“Professor Kepin,” she began, voice steady and direct, “What do you know about iEthereum’s hidden investors?”

Kepin blinked, surprised by her directness. “Margo, iEthereum is decentralized. Its investors are anonymous and, by design, untraceable.”

Margo narrowed her eyes. “But there are ways to trace patterns, right? I’ve analyzed a few. There’s a clear pattern showing trades timed right before major crypto events. It’s as if someone anticipates the fluctuations.”

Kepin felt a pang of worry. “Margo, be careful with assumptions. Patterns are suggestive but not always proof of intent.”

She fixed him with a piercing look. “Professor, either you’re naive, or you’re hiding something.”

Kepin’s calm exterior barely faltered. “You should focus on your studies, Margo. Don’t let yourself get distracted by conspiracy theories.”

But Margo’s words stayed with him, lingering like a shadow over his otherwise logical mind.

The next class came with a palpable tension. Kepin’s lecture was met with watchful eyes and suspicious murmurs, yet his dedication to educating these students about blockchain economics did not waver. As he wrapped up his explanation on iEthereum, Jax’s hand shot up.

“Professor,” Jax said with a smirk, “What would you say if I told you we figured it out? The Federal Reserve’s behind it, right?”

The class erupted in a mix of laughter and nervous glances.

Kepin held up his hands, signaling for quiet. “Look, theories are tools to understand possibilities, but jumping to conclusions can lead to dangerous misinterpretations. I urge you all to question wisely.”

A few students nodded, but others looked doubtful. The mystery had sparked their imaginations, and Kepin could tell some of them wanted to believe in the conspiracy.

After class, Kepin found Emily waiting at his desk, looking thoughtful. “Professor, I think I understand now. iEthereum’s price fluctuation is about more than just manipulation—it’s also about our perception. We see patterns and want to believe something bigger is at play.”

Kepin smiled. “Precisely, Emily. Sometimes, the greatest mystery is our own desire for intrigue. iEthereum fluctuates due to various economic factors, and while conspiracy may fuel curiosity, it rarely holds the entire truth.”

Emily nodded, finally understanding, while Jax, standing nearby, rolled his eyes. “That’s what they want you to think, Professor,” he muttered.

Kepin chuckled. “Perhaps, Jax. But remember: in the blockchain world, skepticism and trust must be carefully balanced.”

And as the students filed out, Kepin couldn’t help but feel a mixture of pride and concern. He had planted seeds of knowledge and mystery alike, knowing some would grow into understanding—and others, into unfounded suspicions. Yet, such was the path of progress, where every breakthrough was shadowed by whispers, and every truth was chased by questions.

In the end, the greatest lesson he could teach was not to solve every mystery, but to approach it with both courage and caution.

The following iEtherean Tales include these characters as well.

• An iEtherean Tale #5