# [Kaspathon](https://kaspathon.com/): Show Us Your Kode-Fu [Kaspa](https://kaspa.org) is one of the fastest Layer 1 PoW blockchain in existence—with block times measured in milliseconds, instant confirmations, and throughput that doesn't make you wait. This hackathon is your chance to explore what that speed makes possible. We're inviting builders, students, hackers, and experimenters of all skill levels to create projects that push the boundaries of real-time PoW blockchain. Whether you're building payment systems that feel instant, games where transactions drive the action, IoT applications that anchor data as it happens, or something we haven't imagined yet—we want to see it. **200,000 KAS in prizes** across Main, Payments & Commerce, Gaming & Interactive, and Real-Time Data tracks—plus mention prizes for Best UX/UI, Best Beginner Project, Most Creative Use of Kaspa, Best Real-World Application, and Community Favorite. All projects must be open source, integrate with Kaspa in a meaningful way, and include documentation and a demo. Solo participants and teams are both welcome. Build something fast. Build something real. Show us your Kode-fu. [Join Kaspa's Community Discord](http://discord.gg/kaspa) to connect with other participants and get support (on the dedicated [Kaspathon channel](https://discord.com/channels/599153230659846165/1451212885790560417) ). Check our main site : [https://kaspathon.com/](https://kaspathon.com/) for more information. # Timeline **Important dates** - **Registration Opens:** December 20, 2025 - **Onboarding livestream:** To be announced - **Hackathon Kickoff / Live stream:** January 16, 2026 - **Submission Deadline:** February 15, 2026 (11:59 PM UTC) - **Judging Period:** February 16-22, 2026 - **Finalist Showcase:** To be announced - **Final judging / community voting Period:** To be announced - **Winners Announced:** To be announced Mark your calendars and join our Discord for updates and reminders. # Prizes **Prize pool breakdown: 200,000 KAS** **Main Track (100,000 KAS - 50%)** - **1st Place:** 35,000 KAS - **2nd Place:** 25,000 KAS - **3rd Place:** 20,000 KAS - **4th Place:** 12,000 KAS - **5th Place:** 8,000 KAS **Category Tracks (50,000 KAS - 25%)** Each category winner receives 16,500 KAS: - **Payments & Commerce:** Build payment systems, attestation tools, or merchant solutions that showcase instant confirmations - **Gaming & Interactive:** Create games or interactive experiences where transactions drive real-time action - **Real-Time Data:** Develop IoT integrations, data anchoring systems, or applications leveraging Kaspa's reactivity **Mention Prizes (50,000 KAS - 25%)** - **Community Favorite:** 20,500 KAS - **Best UX/UI:** 10,000 KAS - **Most Creative Use of Kaspa:** 10,000 KAS - **Best Beginner Project:** 10,000 KAS *Note: Prizes Are Cumulative!* *Projects can win from Main Track, Category Tracks, and Special Mentions.* # Eligibility **Who can join?** **No prior blockchain experience required—just bring your curiosity and creativity.** Kaspathon is open to: - **Developers** of all experience levels (beginner to expert) - **Students** and university teams - **Solo hackers** and teams (no size limit) - **International participants** (remote-friendly) **You are eligible if:** - You can commit to building during the hackathon period - Your project will be open source - You're ready to integrate with Kaspa in a meaningful way - You can provide documentation and a demo video **Not eligible:** - Hackathon organizers and judges - Projects that don't integrate with Kaspa or use mock integrations # Submissions rules All projects must be open source (GitHub repository required). Submission must include: - A README with setup & explanation  - One screenshot (used to create the project thumbnail)  - A 3 minute demo video (screen recording is enough)  - Optional live demo / hosted version (recommended)  ## Originality & Recycling - Projects must be created during the hackathon.  - Using existing code or prior projects is allowed only if clearly disclosed.  - To qualify: recycled projects must show significant new work done during the hackathon.  - Judges may request a commit history to verify progress.  ## AI Usage - AI tools are allowed, including code generation — HOWEVER:  To qualify, participants must clearly document where & how AI was used - If AI produces most of the code without explanation, the project may be disqualified. # Judging Criteria **How projects are evaluated** **For Main Track prizes**, judges score projects on: - **Originality & Creativity (25%):** Fresh idea ? Clever use-case ? Unique angle ? - **Real-world Applicability (20%):** Can it be used outside the hackathon ? Is it useful/meaningful ? - **UX/UI & Accessibility (20%):** Is it intuitive ? is the experience reactive ? - **Technical Implementation (20%):** Code Quality, robustness, use of Kaspa tooling - **Presentation & Documentation (15%):** Readme, demo video, clarity, ease of reproduction **For Category prizes**: Projects must align with the specific track challenge while demonstrating strong Kaspa integration. **For Mention prizes**: Judges look for standout qualities—exceptional design, impressive learning journey, creative thinking, deployment-readiness, or community resonance. **Judging panel**: Up to 10 judges from across the Kaspa ecosystem—core contributors, Layer 2 builders, developer advocates, community leaders, and ecosystem partners. Community Favorite is voted on by participants and the public. # Contact Us **Get support and stay connected** **Discord:** [Join Kaspa Community Discord](http://discord.gg/kaspa) - Get real-time help, connect with other participants, find teammates, and receive updates **Email:** [kaspathon@kaspathon.com](mailto:kaspathon@kaspathon.com) - For general inquiries **Developer Support:** - Community volunteers helper team available in [Discord](http://discord.gg/kaspa) ([Kaspathon channel](https://discord.com/channels/599153230659846165/1451212885790560417)) - Starter kit : [https://github.com/Kaspathon/KaspaDev-Resources](https://github.com/Kaspathon/KaspaDev-Resources) - Documentation: kaspa.org **Social Media:** - Twitter/X: @Kaspathon - Updates and announcements throughout the event Don't hesitate to ask questions—we're here to help you succeed. # About Us **Introducing Kaspathon** Kaspathon is organized by passionate members of the Kaspa community who believe in the power of decentralized, high-performance blockchain technology. Our small but dedicated team includes developers, community builders, and blockchain enthusiasts committed to growing the Kaspa ecosystem through open collaboration and innovation. **Why we're doing this:** Kaspa represents a fundamental breakthrough in PoW blockchain architecture—a proof-of-work Layer 1 that doesn't sacrifice speed for security. We created this hackathon to showcase what becomes possible when block times are measured in milliseconds instead of minutes, and to invite talented builders from around the world to explore this potential. **Our mission:** - Foster innovation within the Kaspa ecosystem - Create educational opportunities for developers at all levels - Generate high-quality open-source projects that benefit everyone - Build bridges between Kaspa and the broader Web3 community - Prove that high-performance infrastructure unlocks entirely new categories of applications This hackathon is more than a competition—it's an invitation to join a growing community of builders who are rethinking what's possible on Layer 1. **Supported by:** The Kaspa community Ready to build? [Register now](#) or join our Discord to get started.