In anticipation of Geyser Fund’s upcoming hackathon, we sent Geyser co-founder Metamick a few questions.
With $10,000 in prizes and a remote, livestreamed format, the hackathon invites developers and creators worldwide to build innovative, non-custodial payment solutions leveraging NWC’s programmable authentication.
From subscription models to interactive payment flows, this hack event is set to accelerate NWC and Lightning adoption with new tools, apps and payment experiences. 
Q: What inspired Geyser to launch the NWC Hackathon at this particular moment, especially with Nostr Wallet Connect gaining traction through projects like Flash or Swapido’s Lightning-based bank transfers in Mexico?
Mick: The timing feels right to start building more tools on Nostr Wallet Connect within the permissionless ecosystem, especially with projects like Flash showing strong support and funding. There is a growing excitement around leveraging NWC for Lightning development, and the hackathon aims to attract talent to push this forward.
Q: What can participants on the hackathon expect?
Mick: Participants can expect a fun and engaging experience, including presentations, discussions, and workshops. The event will feature leadership talks explaining why building on NWC is worthwhile, alongside a community of developers ready to collaborate and innovate. And $10,000 in prizes!
Q: NWC is pitched as a ‘missing link’ for programmable payments and non-custodial flows. Can you break down a use case that you’re excited to see emerge from this hackathon, and how it leverages NWC’s authentication?
Mick: One exciting use case involves subscription payments integrated into existing apps, enabling seamless non-custodial flows. Beyond that, innovative ideas like interactive posts where users can “zap” payments or pledge rewards based on engagement could emerge. This leverages NWC’s programmable authentication to create escrow-like functions without traditional escrow, opening powerful new possibilities. Sky is the limit!
Q: The hackathon offers two tracks: new and mature NWC apps. How will the judging criteria—impact, need, proof of work, and early spark—differentiate between a fresh idea and a refined project, especially given the open-source requirement?
Mick: Judging will differ for new versus mature projects. Mature projects will face higher expectations regarding impact and community support, while new ideas will be evaluated on their early spark and potential. The open-source requirement ensures transparency and community benefit, but the exact weighting of criteria is somewhat flexible to accommodate different project stages.
Q: With sponsors like Alby, Flash, Primal, and BtcCuracao backing this, what role do you see the community playing in shaping the future of decentralized finance beyond just funding—perhaps through mentorship or long-term adoption?
Mick: Beyond funding, community involvement is crucial through mentorship, thought leadership, and providing access to protocols. Companies like Alby and Flash will support adoption by helping developers grow their projects. The community’s role in educating and onboarding new developers is key to expanding decentralized finance and NWC’s ecosystem.
Q: The event is remote and livestreamed, which broadens participation. How do you plan to ensure diverse global input, especially from regions like Latin America where Lightning adoption is growing?
Mick: The remote and livestream format is designed to maximize global participation, including from Latin America where Lightning is gaining traction. The hackathon aims to attract diverse talent by being accessible and providing workshops and mentorship sessions that cater to a wide audience.
Q: With $10,000 on the line and a tight timeline until July 11, what kind of transformative applications do you hope will emerge, and how might they challenge traditional financial systems like remittances or subscriptions?
Mick: The hope is to see transformative applications that leverage NWC to simplify recurring payments, remittances, and programmable financial flows. These apps could challenge traditional systems by offering seamless, non-custodial alternatives that are easier to integrate and more user-friendly, potentially disrupting how subscriptions and cross-border payments work.
Q: Looking ahead to 2026, how do you envision the winners of this hackathon influencing the evolution of NWC and the broader Bitcoin ecosystem, especially as regulatory scrutiny on DeFi intensifies?
Mick: By 2026, winners are expected to have helped NWC gain more traction and developer interest, making it a key tool in the Bitcoin ecosystem. The challenge will be to make NWC easy to plug into existing apps and use cases, helping it grow despite increasing regulatory scrutiny on DeFi. The hackathon aims to foster projects that can navigate these challenges effectively.
Q: With just a few days left until the July 7 application deadline as of today, what advice would you give to developers—especially those hesitant about integrating NWC—to jump in and make the most of this opportunity?
Mick: Developers are encouraged to just launch their projects without hesitation. Even a prototype or design mock-up can be enough to start. The key is to begin building and experimenting, as the available tooling and community support make it easier than ever to get started on NWC.
Q: The hackathon includes vibe-coding and mentorship sessions. Can you share a sneak peek of what attendees can expect during the livestreamed workshops, and how this could inspire even non-developers to get involved?
Mick: The livestreamed workshops will feature presentations and discussions with experts who explain the value of building on NWC. There will be mentorship opportunities and community interaction designed to inspire both developers and non-developers alike, making the hackathon accessible and motivating for a broad audience.
Q: Thank you for your time
Mick: You’re welcome!
If you’re interested in applying, visit: https://geyser.fund/grants/16
