# Casper Hackathon 2026 ## Activity Introduction Casper Hackathon 2026 invites developers worldwide to build the next generation of decentralized applications on Casper - an enterprise-grade, proof-of-stake blockchain designed for real-world scalability and performance. Whether you're exploring DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, liquid staking solutions, or cross-chain interoperability, this is your opportunity to innovate on a platform that combines developer-friendly tooling with institutional-grade infrastructure. ## Total Prize Pool: $40,000 USD **Cash Prizes ($25,000 Total)** - **Main Track:** 1st Place: $10,000 | 2nd Place: $7,000 | 3rd Place: $3,000 - **Best Interoperability App:** $2,500 - **Best Liquid Staking dApp:** $2,500 **NodeOps Platform Credits ($5,000 Total)** Top 5 awards: - 1st Prize: $1,800 credits - 2nd Prize: $1,125 credits - 3rd Prize: $720 credits - 4th Prize: $495 credits - 5th Prize: $360 credits Plus **3 × $167 bounties**. *NodeOps is a decentralized compute coordination layer for AI, DePIN, and enterprise workloads. NodeOps credits can be used for future frontend/backend deployments.* **ChainGPT API Grants ($10,000 Total)** ChainGPT supports the BUIDLers with workshops & API grant of $10K allocated. Moreover, they are happy to support Casper projects on ChainGPT Launchpad - IDO, Private Sale, Buzz (mindshare), and LaunchDrop with full co-marketing. - Check out their offerings: [https://www.chaingpt.org/](https://www.chaingpt.org/) - Ping @muhammetk on Telegram if you would like to be whitelisted for the API usage or are interested in any of their services/products. # Why Build on Casper? Casper offers a robust development environment with Rust-based smart contracts, WebAssembly execution, and seamless wallet integration via [CSPR.click](https://CSPR.click). The [Odra framework](https://odra.dev/docs/) accelerates development, while native [Casper SDKs](https://docs.casper.network/sdk) provide maximum flexibility for builders on most common platforms. ### What You'll Gain: - **$40,000 in prizes ($25,000 cash and $15,000 in API grants and credits)** across multiple tracks, including special awards for interoperability and liquid staking projects - **Technical and marketing support** from the Casper Association for all winners - **Post-hackathon grants and incubation** opportunities for promising projects - **Community voting** via CSPR.fans, giving your project and your team visibility and online/social engagement - Access to mentorship, live workshops, training sessions, and office hours with core Casper developers and ecosystem experts during weekdays Join us in building the future of Web3. Code, compete, and contribute to the Casper ecosystem. # Time Schedule **Qualification Round:** - **Kickoff:** November 14, 2025 (00:00 UTC) - ~~**Submission Deadline:** January 4, 2026 (23:59 UTC)~~ - **Extended Submission Deadline:** January 11, 2026 (23:59 UTC) - **Community Voting:** Opens November 14, 2025 **Review Period:** - **January 12-14, 2026:** Review of Round 1 submissions, announcement of finalists, and preparations for the Final Round **Final Round:** - **Starts:** January 15, 2026 - **Submission Deadline:** January 25, 2026 (23:59 UTC) - **Winners Announcement:** Week of January 26, 2026 Stay tuned for detailed event calendars, live workshops, and training sessions (dates and times will be announced at a later date). # Tracks ### To align with the prize structure and key focus areas, the following tracks are established: ### 1. Main Track For general submissions competing for the top 3 prizes. Open to all types of projects including DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, gaming, enterprise solutions, and developer tools. ### 2. Interoperability Track For projects focused on cross-chain solutions, connecting Casper with other ecosystems. Build bridges, cross-chain messaging protocols, or multi-chain applications. ### 3. Liquid Staking Track For dApps centered on liquid staking protocols, liquid staking tokens, or incorporating Casper's native liquid staking capabilities into their application. # Submission Requirements Each submission should include the following: - **Project Overview (required):** 1–2 paragraphs explaining your project’s concept, purpose, and key features. - **Demo Video (optional):** A short video demonstrating your project’s functionality, if available. - **GitHub Repository (optional):** A link to your project’s source code, if the project is open source. - **Functional Prototype (optional):** A working prototype showcasing core on-chain functionality on the **Casper Testnet**. **Multiple Track Submissions:** Projects may be submitted to multiple tracks if they meet the eligibility criteria for each. **No Previous Experience Needed:** No prior experience with the Casper Network is required; our support team will guide you through the process. **On-chain Component Required:** All projects must include an **on-chain component** to be eligible for rewards. **Fast-Track for Functional Prototypes:** Projects with a fully functional prototype deployed on the Casper Testnet will automatically advance to the Final Round. **Community Choice Fast-Track:** The **top 5 projects** selected through **community voting** will also advance to the Final Round, even if they do not meet all technical expectations such as having a functional prototype, Testnet deployment, or GitHub repository. # Event Phases and Voting The hackathon will be conducted in two distinct phases: ### 1. Qualification Round Open to all participants. Teams are encouraged to submit a functional prototype demonstrating core on-chain functionality on the Casper Testnet. At the end of this phase: - **All projects with a functional prototype deployed on the Casper Testnet** will automatically advance to the Final Round. - **Top 5 projects** determined through on-chain **community voting** will also advance to the Final Round, regardless of whether they have a functional prototype or Testnet deployment. - **The Casper Association** may, at its discretion, advance additional projects that demonstrate strong potential or significant value to the Casper ecosystem. Evaluation will emphasize innovation, usability, and contribution to the Casper ecosystem. Community voting will take place through the **[CSPR.fans](https://cspr.fans/)** app, where users can express their support and engagement for participating projects. The CSPR.fans platform will also serve to amplify visibility for projects and their teams. ### 2. Final Round Finalists will further refine and enhance their projects based on feedback and technical improvements. They will compete in the Final Round, where winners will be chosen through an on-chain community vote conducted via the Casper community app (CSPR.fans). This ensures transparent and decentralized decision-making by the Casper community. **Projects must have fully functional prototypes, generating on-chain activity for the Final Round to be eligible for any prizes.** ### Voting and Winner Selection Both rounds will leverage Casper's native governance tools to carry out verifiable, on-chain voting. This approach promotes fairness, transparency, and full traceability of results while empowering the Casper community to play a decisive role in recognizing innovation and excellence. Apart from the winners chosen by the community, the Casper Association may choose to support projects which are going to fill a fundamental gap in the ecosystem or uncover an appealing opportunity. **Anti-Fraud:** Measures will be in place to ensure fair voting and submission authenticity. Winners will need to pass KYC/AML to be eligible to receive the rewards. # Support and Partners **Organized by:** [Casper Network](https://casper.network) **Co-sponsored by:** [Halborn](https://www.halborn.com/), [NodeOps](https://nodeops.network/), [NOWNodes](https://nownodes.io/), and [ChainGPT](https://www.chaingpt.org) ### Support Resources: - **Office hours** during weekdays where mentors from the Casper team and ecosystem experts will be available to answer questions - **Live workshops and training sessions** during the hackathon (dates and times will be announced) - **Technical support channels:** - Discord: [Join #hackathon channel](https://discord.gg/e9A7u6Pmyk) - Telegram: [Casper Developers Group](https://t.me/CSPRDevelopers) - [Casper Community Forum](https://forum.casper.network/c/development/8) - DoraHacks platform Q&A ### Developer Resources: All participants should review the official **[Casper Network Hackathon Onboarding Guide](https://hackmd.io/@a2EzAZi7QJahtQ7OVbrb8Q/HJrKuUAAxl)** provided for this event. **Quick Start Summary:** 1. **Set Up Your Environment:** Install Rust and the necessary Casper command-line tools. 2. **Get Testnet Tokens:** Generate your keys and use [the public faucet](https://testnet.cspr.live/tools/faucet) to get CSPR for testing ([request more](https://forms.gle/z3mF7ngVd7f5K19j7) if needed). 3. **Choose Your Path:** Start building with the user-friendly [Odra framework](https://odra.dev/docs/) (recommended) or the native [Casper Rust SDK](https://docs.casper.network/developers/writing-onchain-code/getting-started) for more control. Explore quick-start options like the [Lottery App demo](https://github.com/casper-ecosystem/lottery-demo-dapp), [CSPR.click](https://docs.cspr.click/) & [CSPR.cloud](https://docs.cspr.cloud/), or other [available SDKs](https://docs.casper.network/sdk) and starter templates. # Prizes and Post-Hackathon Support ### In addition to the cash prizes, **all winners will receive technical and marketing support** from the Casper Association. The Casper Association reserves the right to support any additional projects it deems valuable, including: - Post-hackathon grants and incubation opportunities - Media exposure and promotional support - Ongoing technical mentorship - Partnership connections within the Casper ecosystem # Encouragement and Vision We believe in the boundless potential of decentralized technology to transform industries, connect communities, and empower individuals. The Casper Hackathon 2026 is designed to: - Bring together global talent to create production-ready dApps - Expand Casper's reach with cross-chain and DeFi innovations - Seed a new generation of builders committed to the growth and health of the Casper ecosystem - Strengthen partnerships and foster a collaborative spirit in Web3 # Official Communication Channels Stay updated on all hackathon news, partner announcements, and event reminders via: - **Website:** [casper.network](https://casper.network) - **Twitter/X:** [@Casper_Network](https://twitter.com/Casper_Network) - **Discord:** [Casper Network Discord](https://discord.com/invite/caspernetwork) - **Telegram:** [Casper Developers Group](https://t.me/CSPRDevelopers ) - **Forum:** [Casper Community & Governance Forum](https://forum.casper.network) ### Documentation & Resources: - **Onboarding Guide:** [Casper Network Hackathon Onboarding Guide](https://hackmd.io/@a2EzAZi7QJahtQ7OVbrb8Q/HJrKuUAAxl) - **Odra Framework:** [odra.dev/docs](https://odra.dev/docs) - **Unified SDK:** [docs.cspr.click](https://docs.cspr.click) - **Cloud Services:** [docs.cspr.cloud](https://docs.cspr.cloud) - **Testnet Explorer:** [testnet.cspr.live](https://testnet.cspr.live) - **Reference Documentation:** [docs.casper.network](https://docs.casper.network) # Ready to Build? **Registration is now open!** Join the Casper Hackathon 2026 and help shape the future of Web3. We welcome participants from all backgrounds and skill levels. If you need help, reach out to our support team through Discord, Telegram, or forum!