About the Hackathon
# About
TON Payments Hack-a-TON is a regional hackathon designed specifically for builders across Latin America who want to create real, usable payments products on TON. Whether you’re into Telegram bots, mini-apps, or crypto-native checkout flows — this is your playground.
# Ideas & Use Cases
### Your project **must involve product development** and be focused on **payments within the TON ecosystem**. You’re welcome to innovate beyond the list below, but here are some ideas to get you started:
1. **Remittances & P2P Transfers**
Brazil has a large diaspora and significant intercity money movement needs.
- Use case: Build a Telegram mini-app that lets users send and receive stablecoins (e.g. jUSDT) with live BRL conversion, using @wallet.
2. **QR-Based Payments for Small Merchants**
Many small vendors use Pix and WhatsApp. Offer them a Web3-native alternative.
- Use case: Create a QR-code payment bot that allows small merchants to accept stablecoins and track orders via Telegram.
3. **Bill Splitting for Groups**
Common in Brazilian social culture (e.g. splitting bar tabs, Airbnb).
- Use case: A Telegram bot that splits payments among friends, tracks who paid, and lets users settle with Toncoin/stables.
4. **Tipping & Creator Payments**
Support content creators and community managers directly in Telegram.
- Use case: A bot that allows tipping in Toncoin across groups and channels, with dashboards for creators.
5. **Telegram Commerce Checkout**
Allow checkout flows in Telegram mini-apps with TON payments.
- Use case: Build a plug-and-play “Pay with TON” checkout for Telegram stores or gaming bots.
6. **Recurring Subscriptions**
Many users subscribe to gyms, content, or services monthly.
- Use case: A subscription manager in Telegram that automates recurring Toncoin or stablecoin payments.
7. **Gaming Rewards Wallet**
Brazil has a huge mobile gaming market.
- Use case: A Telegram-integrated wallet that lets users earn, swap, and spend in-game rewards in Toncoin.
8. **“Pix-to-TON” Off-ramp Aggregator**
Enable Pix payouts for users receiving crypto.
- Use case: An aggregator bot that routes stablecoin payouts to local providers who do Pix off-ramps.
9. **Cashback or Loyalty Program**
Many Brazilian users are used to cashback via Nubank, MercadoPago, etc.
Use case: A mini-app that gives Toncoin cashback on purchases at local or online stores, integrated with Telegram.
10. **Credit and BNPL**
Payments in installments are an everyday thing for Brazilians.
- Use case: A service or infrastructure that allow for crypto spending in installments.
# Prizes
TON Payments Hack-a-TON will select 5 winners that present the best submissions.
🥇 1st place: 5,000 USDT
🥈 2nd place: 2,500 USDT
🥉 3rd place: 1,500 USDT
🏅 4th place: 750 USDT
🏅 5th place: 250 USDT
*Please note: All prizes will be paid in USDT on TON or other cryptocurrency as determined by the Organizer at its sole discretion. The Participant shall provide a valid compatible wallet address to receive any prize. The Organizer shall have no obligation to pay or cause to pay prizes in any other form or to any other medium. Prizes distribution may take up to 5 weeks.*
# **Entry Requirements**
- Projects must be submitted **by July 25th (23:59 UTC-3)** at the latest
- Submitted projects must be built for the **TON ecosystem** and developed using [Tact](https://tact-lang.org/) or [FunC](https://docs.ton.org/develop/func/overview) languages
- Projects that use a **Telegram Mini App** as their main interface will receive **extra points** during evaluation
- Teams are allowed to keep their GitHub repositories **private during the hackathon**, but must make them **public immediately after the BUIDL submission deadline**
- By participating, teams confirm that their submissions **do not violate any applicable laws or regulations**, **do not infringe on intellectual property rights**, and **do not contain malicious or harmful code**. Projects that fail to meet these conditions will be disqualified
- **Finalist teams** must be available to **attend live online pitching sessions on August 4th and 5th**
# **Timeline**
- **Building Phase**: June 16 – July 25
- **Workshops Week:** July 4–10 (4 workshops)
- **Submission Deadline**: July 25, 23:59:59 GMT-3
- **Judging Phase:** July 26 – August 3
- **Pitching Days for finalists:** 4th and 5th August
- **Winners Announced:** August 6–9