Is anyone actually mining this cryptocurrency? It seems a bit odd to say this is a proof of concept, without proving the concept by actually running the code. It might be happening somewhere, the topic just seemed avoided by the README.
The Satoshi whitepaper that introduced Bitcoin was released before any running code and the code was in development for a while before the currency launched.
At this point in the development of cryptocurrencies there is room for experimental cryptocurrencies that aren't immediate attempts to get a production system running but provide research which currently adopted cryptocurrencies can draw from. Inventing a better jet engine should not require starting an aerospace company that builds and sells complete airplanes.