Geyser, a Bitcoin crowdfunding and grants platform, introduced the NWC Hackathon Grant this week, inviting tasks that leverage Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) – a communication protocol that allows programmable, non-custodial Bitcoin funds and seamless interactions between apps and wallets. NWC makes use of the Nostr relay community as an always-on, encrypted message layer linking purposes to customers’ wallets, so apps can request funds or fetch knowledge without custodial intermediaries. This design permits Bitcoin to maneuver extra freely between providers. “The timing feels proper… There’s rising pleasure round leveraging NWC for Lightning growth,” stated Mick Morucci, co-founder of Geyser, underscoring the momentum behind this know-how.
Two Grant Tracks for Builders
The $10K NWC Grant can be distributed throughout two classes. Observe 1: New NWC Apps focuses on recent concepts and prototypes constructed from scratch, this could embody “vibe-coding” instruments. Observe 2: Mature NWC Apps is for established tasks that haven’t but obtained investor funding. Geyser indicated there could also be as much as 4 winners per monitor, assessed on standards together with influence, want, proof of labor, and early potential. The initiative isn’t nearly prize cash – it comes with a supportive construction of workshops and mentorship. Over the approaching weeks (June 30 – July 11), individuals can be a part of instructional livestreams, distant workshops, and suggestions classes, culminating in a livestreamed pitch day on July 8 and ultimate winners introduced July 11. This strategy goals to nurture builders via the event course of, not simply reward a completed product.
NWC Unlocks New Use Circumstances
Nostr Pockets Join’s versatility is a key motivation for the grant. “We wish to deliver Bitcoin out of chilly storage and into actual use: automated, seamless, and sovereign,” stated René Aaron, a developer at Alby (one of many grant’s sponsors), highlighting how NWC bridges Lightning to on a regular basis purposes (take heed to his interview here). By appearing as an open bridge between any pockets and app, NWC removes friction for each customers and builders. NWC has been described as “the lacking hyperlink” that unlocks new Bitcoin use circumstances – “subscription fashions, non-custodial flows, programmable funds & rather more” (source). This implies concepts like pay-as-you-go subscriptions, IoT micropayments, Bitcoin-powered developer instruments, Discord tipping bots and even computerized bank card top-ups can all be constructed utilizing NWC.
Sponsors and Early Candidates
The grant is backed by sponsors together with Alby, Flash, Primal, and BtcCuracao. A number of tasks have already utilized to this system, reflecting a various vary of NWC purposes. These embody ZapGoals – a Nostr app for fundraising sats in direction of private targets, Swapido – a service enabling one-click Lightning-to-Mexican Peso financial institution transfers, Flotilla – a Nostr-based communities platform, and Medical Binder – an initiative for sovereign well being information. Extra candidates are anticipated because the Bitcoin builder neighborhood rallies round this open problem.
The right way to Get Concerned
Geyser is encouraging any Bitcoin or Nostr builders with an concept to use for the NWC Grant. Purposes are open on the NWC Hackathon Grant web page till Monday seventh of July. Pitch day is Tuesday the eighth. With this initiative, the organizers hope to spark recent innovation and show out what’s potential when Lightning meets Nostr’s permissionless communications. By funding and mentoring builders, Geyser and companions goal to speed up the expansion of a “self-sovereign” Bitcoin funds ecosystem open to all.
This can be a visitor put up by Mick Morucci. Opinions expressed are solely their very own and don’t essentially mirror these of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Journal.