Geyser, a Bitcoin crowdfunding and grants platform, announced the NWC Hackathon Grant this week, inviting projects that leverage Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) – a communication protocol that enables programmable, non-custodial Bitcoin payments and seamless interactions between apps and wallets. NWC uses the Nostr relay network as an always-on, encrypted message layer linking applications to users’ wallets, so apps can request payments or fetch data without custodial intermediaries. This design allows Bitcoin to move more freely between services. “The timing feels right… There’s growing excitement around leveraging NWC for Lightning development,” said Mick Morucci, co-founder of Geyser, underscoring the momentum behind this technology.
Two Grant Tracks for Builders
The $10K NWC Grant will be distributed across two categories. Track 1: New NWC Apps focuses on fresh ideas and prototypes built from scratch, this can include “vibe-coding” tools. Track 2: Mature NWC Apps is for established projects that have not yet received investor funding. Geyser indicated there may be up to four winners per track, assessed on criteria including impact, need, proof of work, and early potential. The initiative isn’t just about prize money – it comes with a supportive structure of workshops and mentorship. Over the coming weeks (June 30 – July 11), participants can join educational livestreams, remote workshops, and feedback sessions, culminating in a livestreamed pitch day on July 8 and final winners announced July 11. This approach aims to nurture builders through the development process, not just reward a finished product.
NWC Unlocks New Use Cases
Nostr Wallet Connect’s versatility is a key motivation for the grant. “We want to bring Bitcoin out of cold storage and into real use: automated, seamless, and sovereign,” said René Aaron, a developer at Alby (one of the grant’s sponsors), highlighting how NWC bridges Lightning to everyday applications (listen to his interview here). By acting as an open bridge between any wallet and app, NWC removes friction for both users and developers. NWC has been described as “the missing link” that unlocks new Bitcoin use cases – “subscription models, non-custodial flows, programmable payments & much more” (source). This means ideas like pay-as-you-go subscriptions, IoT micropayments, Bitcoin-powered developer tools, Discord tipping bots or even automatic credit card top-ups can all be built using NWC.
Sponsors and Early Applicants
The grant is backed by sponsors including Alby, Flash, Primal, and BtcCuracao. Several projects have already applied to the program, reflecting a diverse range of NWC applications. These include ZapGoals – a Nostr app for fundraising sats towards personal goals, Swapido – a service enabling one-click Lightning-to-Mexican Peso bank transfers, Flotilla – a Nostr-based communities platform, and Medical Binder – an initiative for sovereign health records. More applicants are expected as the Bitcoin builder community rallies around this open challenge.
How to Get Involved
Geyser is encouraging any Bitcoin or Nostr builders with an idea to apply for the NWC Grant. Applications are open on the NWC Hackathon Grant page until Monday 7th of July. Pitch day is Tuesday the 8th. With this initiative, the organizers hope to spark fresh innovation and prove out what’s possible when Lightning meets Nostr’s permissionless communications. By funding and mentoring developers, Geyser and partners aim to accelerate the growth of a “self-sovereign” Bitcoin payments ecosystem open to all.
This is a guest post by Mick Morucci. Opinions expressed are entirely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Magazine.
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