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ERGOHACK: Building the Ergo Ecosystem#

ERGOHACK events are pillars of innovation within the Ergo community. These regular online hackathons bring together developers, designers, students, and enthusiasts from around globe onto the Ergo Discord. Participants collaborate intensively, often over several days or weeks, to build solutions, tools, and dApps that address specific themes or contribute broadly to the Ergo ecosystem.

Originally conceived as competitions, ERGOHACKs have evolved into powerful incubators for talent and technology. They offer invaluable opportunities to work with experienced mentors, showcase skills, and contribute directly to the core infrastructure and user experience of the Ergo blockchain.

ERGOHACKs by the Numbers (I - IX)#

  • Total Events: 9 Hackathons
  • Projects Submitted: Over 100 unique projects explored
  • Themes Covered: Ranging from Social Transformation, Privacy & Security, Mining & Minting, Cypherpunk Finance, DeFi Adoption, Bitcoin Interoperability, to UI/UX & Mining Innovation.
  • Notable Outcomes: Many essential ecosystem tools and dApps originated or were significantly developed during ERGOHACKs, including wallets (Minotaur, SAFEW, Satergo enhancements), DeFi platforms (ErgoLend, SigmaO, Oracle Pools v2, Duckpools), infrastructure components (Subpooling/GetBlok.io, ErgoNames, Rosen Port), privacy features (Stealth Addresses), and innovative concepts (CYTI, SNISPs, ChainCash, Lithos).

Hackathon Directory & History#

Explore the history of innovation. Click any event name to jump to its details or browse chronologically. You can also visit the original Hall of Fame.

ERGOHACK 9: Mining and UI/UX Innovation#

(October 25-31, 2024)

Summary: ErgoHack IX focused on "Building for Everyone: Mining & UI/UX Innovation". Building upon the successful deployment of numerous dApps, lending protocols, and the foundational Rosen Bridge, Ergo was strategically positioned to enhance ecosystem accessibility and efficiency. This hackathon aimed to catalyze the creation of novel mining solutions and intuitive user interfaces, reinforcing Ergo's drive to deliver a powerful and user-centric blockchain experience for a broader audience.

Projects:

  1. Bene: Fundraising Platform

    • Overview: A decentralized app for projects to raise funds in ERG, using participation tokens to create a transparent community-driven support mechanism.
    • Documentation | Demo Video | Presentation

  2. Last Byte Bar

    • Overview: Mints NFTs and tokens upon block discovery, rewarding miners with digital assets based on block data and mining contributions.
    • Features: Algorithmic NFTs, fungible tokens influenced by block data, miner rewards.
    • Documentation | Final Report | Presentation

  3. OnErgo

    • Overview: Central hub for Ergo community engagement, offering a dynamic event calendar and reward-based learning platform.
    • Documentation | Presentation

  4. Satergo Offline Vault

  5. Minotaur Multisig Enhancements

    • Overview: Enhances multi-sig wallet transactions by improving communication among wallet signers, making collaborative signing faster and more reliable. (Builds on previous Minotaur work).
    • Documentation | Signing Demo | Registration Demo

  6. OneStopShop

    • Overview: An onboarding guide for newcomers to the Ergo ecosystem, covering essential resources from wallets and DApps to transactions.
    • Documentation

  7. Cup of Sugar

    • Overview: A community-centric micro grocer and café promoting local sourcing, blockchain use for local economies, and exploring LETS and decentralized incentives. (Continued development from EH VIII).
    • Documentation |Website

  8. 3D Explorer

    • Overview: A 3D visualization tool that brings Ergo’s blockchain data to life, helping users understand the UTXO model and blockchain dynamics.
    • Final Report | Demo Video | Try it

  9. Community Liquidity Bootstrap (CLB)

    • Overview: A nonprofit initiative to address liquidity in Ergo without venture capital, engaging the community with accessible returns.
    • Follow on Twitter | GitHub | Presentation

Winners:

  • 1st Place: Satergo Offline Vault
  • 2nd Place: Bene: Fundraising Platform (Stable Benefaction Platform)
  • 3rd Place: Last Byte Bar

Read the Announcement & Results

ERGOHACK VIII: Ergo as a Smart Layer#

(May 25 - June 2, 2024)

Summary: ErgoHack VIII centered on the theme "Ergo As A Smart Layer For Bitcoin". It aimed to leverage Ergo’s unique features (extended UTXO, Sigma protocols) to build DeFi applications extending Bitcoin’s functionality, continuing the tradition of ErgoHacks contributing essential tools and dApps.

Projects:

  1. optionPools (Duckpools Team): Creating highly liquid option markets leveraging Ergo's L1 tech and Rosen Bridge to become a crypto options hub. (../eco/duckpools.md)
  2. Moria Finance: Advanced custody solutions with key storage contracts and multi-party payment simplification.
  3. Trustless Relays: Superseding BTC custody solutions with Ergo smart-contracts.
  4. Cup of Sugar: Promoting local farm-fresh, traceable products using blockchain for community-driven commerce. (Continued in EH IX).
  5. Random Number Generator (Rng Dev): Developing robust, time-dependent RNG mechanisms powered by blockchain for games/lotteries.
  6. Crystal Pool: Self-custodial exchange offering a CEX-like real-time user experience.
  7. Lightning Swaps: Integration for Bitcoin Lightning Network to Ergo atomic cross-chain swaps.
  8. Mining BTC Swap (Sigmanaut Core Mining Pool Team): Worked on Permissionless Pool Parameters and Reward Swapping.
  9. Space Wallet: Cross-platform wallet using NiPoPoWs (SPV workflow) with basic dApp connector functionalities.
  10. Wallet Wonderland: Creating visual guides and tutorials for various wallets for detailed, updatable documentation.
  11. Huangians: Late entry project from Cornell CS students.
  12. Rosen Port: Batching smaller Rosen Bridge orders to bypass the minimum fee.
  13. Analog Ergo: Focused on atomic cross-chain swaps (related to Lightning Swaps/Atomic Swap Interface from EH VII).

(Note: ReputationSystem, Empheral Messaging, and Sigma Wallet were withdrawn entries.)

Winners:

  • 1st Place: Crystal Pool
  • 2nd Place: Duckpools (optionPools)
  • 3rd Place: Analog Ergo

See the Hall of Fame Entry

ERGOHACK VII: Future of Finance: Ways of Adoption#

(October 2023)

Summary: ErgoHack VII explored "The Future of Finance and the Path to Adoption". Following key releases like Captain Nemo’s SDK, Spectrum Finance’s Cardano AMM, Rosen Bridge, and Paideia, Ergo was positioned to lead with innovative financial products.

Projects:

  1. Light Node with Satergo: Integrated light node configuration (NiPoPoWs/UTXO snapshots) into Satergo wallet for faster sync and lower disk usage. (Final report)
  2. SidechainProto: Investigated the implementation of sidechains on Ergo. (GitHub, Whitepaper)
  3. Lilium Event Ticketing: Expanded the Lilium decentralized NFT platform to include event ticketing functionality. (Final report, Interview Clip)
  4. Atomic Swap Web Interface (Analog Ergo): Added a web UI to the Analog Ergo P2P atomic swap marketplace for user-friendly cross-chain swaps. (Final report)
  5. Ergsnap Metamask Integration: Integrated Ergo support directly into Metamask via Metamask Snap, improving cross-chain UX. (GitHub, Final report)
  6. Hodlbox: A gamified, non-custodial vault encouraging long-term ERG holding with NFTs based on locked amount/duration (2 years or $20 ERG). (Website, Demo, Interview, GitHub)
  7. ReputationSystemTeam: Developed a comprehensive on-chain reputation system using reputation trees to assign scores to UTXOs and external entities (addresses, URLs, etc.). (GitHub, Final report)
  8. Ergo Poor Man's Wallet (EPMW): A simple, DIY, ultra-low-cost (~$10) hardware wallet solution. (GitHub)
  9. Auction Coin: An example of 'Degen Finance' (DegFi) on Ergo using a smart contract for automated token issuance/auctioning with game-theoretic buyback mechanisms. (Docs)

Winners:

  • 1st Place: Analog Atomic Swap Market
  • 2nd Place: Hodlbox
  • 3rd Place: Ergo Poor Mans Wallet

See the Hall of Fame Entry

ERGOHACK VI: Cypherpunk Finance#

(February 2023)

Summary: ErgoHack VI, themed "Cypherpunk Finance", focused on developing privacy tools using Ergo's protocols (mixers, etc.) and promoting decentralized finance while considering regulations.

Projects:

  1. Analog-Ergo: Cross-chain P2P atomic marketplace enabling users to set their own prices. (Submission, Final Report, GitHub)
  2. Ergo Stats: Mobile app providing compact blockchain statistics from ergo.watch/tokenJay. (Submission, GitHub)
  3. Ergode: Ergo Node running natively on smart devices (TVs, phones, etc.), targeting Tizen OS initially. (GitHub)
  4. Lithos: Decentralised block production via collateralized mining pools, offering yield on ERG while decentralizing the chain. (Submission, Final Report, GitHub)
  5. ChainCash: Elastic P2P money creation system using trust and blockchain assets. (Submission, GitHub)
  6. Lilium: Decentralised NFT sale platform infrastructure for easy minting/distribution. (Submission, Final Report)
  7. SigmaO: Creation of Call/Put options on EIP-4 tokens, represented by standard EIP-4 tokens. (Submission, sigmao.cc, GitHub)
  8. Riadne Hlady2: MultiSig token swapping service for trustless P2P NFT/token swaps in a single transaction. (single-tx-swap.com, GitHub)
  9. Privacy Guide: Online module teaching privacy fundamentals and private Ergo usage. (Submission, Course Link)
  10. Perma Ergo: RealFi project using micro-loans for farmers via Permaculture/Agroecology principles to decentralize food production. (Submission, GitHub)
  11. Net Notes: Ergo Node running in a web browser using encrypted file notes for communication. (Submission, Final Report)
  12. Sigma Subscriptions: Framework for easily running subscription services on Ergo. (Submission, GitHub)
  13. Quantum Swap: P2P NFT & Native Asset Exchange Service. (Submission)
  14. SigmaStamp: A timestamping service. (GitHub, sigmastamp.ml)
  15. SIPS: SigmaUSD Improvement Proposals development and discussion. (Draft Doc, Discussion)
  16. Explorer UI: Improving the user experience of the Ergo explorer. (Submission)

(Note: Open Board was a withdrawn entry.)

Winners:

  • 1st Prize: Ergode (Ergo Tizen)
  • 2nd Prize: SigmaO
  • 3rd Prize: Lithos
  • Community Vote 1st: Ergode
  • Community Vote 2nd: SigmaO
  • Community Vote 3rd: Lithos

See the Hall of Fame Entry | Final Reports Drive

ERGOHACK 5: Mining and Minting#

(October 3-20, 2022)

Summary: Co-presented with Flux, Alephium, and the Djed Alliance, ErgoHack V focused on "Mining and Minting", particularly relevant due to the anticipated Ethereum Merge. It aimed to attract miners and developers by stimulating dApps, tools, and infrastructure leveraging Ergo's unique PoW features and exploring cross-chain potential.

Projects:

  1. DumDumDum: Decentralised, on-chain Twitter alternative using NFTs. (Docs)
  2. Cyti: "Choose Your Token ID" - a mineable smart contract allowing minting tokens with a specific ID prefix. (Live Demo, Video)
  3. EIP38-Partial-Voting: EIP draft empowering miners with a 'partial' vote option for indicative voting, enabling pools to pass governance power to miners. (Video, Draft PR)
  4. SNISP (Succinct, Non-Interactive Share Proofs): Proofs allowing accurate/efficient on-chain PoW calculation, useful for decentralized pools, governance, work-backed assets. (Draft Paper)
  5. Paizo: On-chain mining governance simulation tool for educating miners. (Live Demo)
  6. Ergo-Payroll: Automated payroll distribution tool for ERG/tokens based on amount or USD value. (GitHub)
  7. Obolflip: A decentralised CoinFlip betting application. (Docs & Client)
  8. ergo-audit: DAO-based project for community auditing of ecosystem projects/contracts with standardized frameworks.
  9. ErgoNames: Easy-to-remember names for Ergo addresses, tackling multi-contract approach, orphan requests, NSFW engine, etc. (Proposal)
  10. SigmaBalls: An options trading solution concept.
  11. MineErgo: Project rewarding miners with NFTs alongside their ERG rewards.
  12. Sigma-Rust-Jit: Enhancing the sigma-rust library with JIT 5.0 Costing.
  13. Satergo Wallet Enhancement: Added a stratum mining server module to the Satergo wallet.
  14. Dlop-art-generator: UI/website for generating 1010s art pieces, potentially with SVG/minting features. (Live Demo, Final Report)

Winners:

  • 1st Prize (Ergo Foundation and Flux, 10k SigUSD + Flux): CYTI
  • 2nd Prize (Ergo Foundation and Flux, 6k SigUSD + Flux): ergonames
  • 3rd Prize (Ergo Foundation, 2k SigUSD): Paizo
  • 3rd Prize (Flux): Obolflip
  • Special Prize (Ergo Foundation, 1000 SigUSD): snisp
  • (Additional prizes from Djed Alliance [DACAU] and Alephium [20k ALPH] were also part of the pool).

Read the Announcement | See the Hall of Fame Entry

ERGOHACKFEST (IV)#

(May 2022 - Three Weeks)

Summary: The fourth hackathon, dubbed ERGOHACKFEST, spanned several weeks in collaboration with ErgoPad. It was the largest event to date, attracting familiar faces and new participants who leveraged the extended duration for ambitious projects like ERG-EVM bridges and GraphQL APIs.

Projects:

  1. Azorus: An intelligence platform for UTXO Blockchains. (Demo, Whitepaper, IDO)
  2. ergo-graphql: GraphQL API for Ergo data access. (GitHub, Report)
  3. dAppStep: Interactive JavaScript tutorials for dApp developers (nodejs/javascript stack). (Live Examples, Report)
  4. ErgoSock & Ergonode (Satergo Team): Network crawler (ErgoSock) and mapper (Ergonodes) visualizing node state and network health. (ergonodes.net, ErgoSock Report, Ergonodes Report, GitHub)
  5. ErgoNation: A decentralised ID and governance project committed to Ergo ideals. (Report)
  6. ErgoSphere: An Umbrel-like easy node hosting solution for Ergo. (ergosphere.cloud, Presentation)
  7. LETS: Local Exchange Trading System implementation. (Backend GitHub)
  8. Multisig (Minotaur Team): Developed a new multi-signature wallet with QR code signing and a communication server. (Docs, Usage Example)
  9. NightOwl: Decentralised casino platform. (Presentation, Update, dApp Connector)
  10. Oracle-Pools2: MVP implementation of EIP-23 oracle pools v2, implementing three core operations. (Report)
  11. SwampAudio: A Layer-2 Music Launchpad concept. (Report, IDO Details)
  12. Tensile: Decentralised, open-source, non-custodial derivatives trading platform (leverage, hedging). (GitHub, Report)
  13. ColivingDAO: Aims to facilitate a global ecosystem of coliving projects using DAO principles. (Website)
  14. RubyNFTs: NFT Minting library using sigma_rb. (Presentation, Lib GitHub)
  15. SentientChain/SentientSWAP: Gaming sidechain concept. (Presentation)
  16. InERGitance: A decentralised inheritance solution for the Ergo blockchain. (GitHub, Docs, Frontend)
  17. Platform137: Mining GUI interface development. (Presentation)
  18. Ergrow: A fun project integrating Ergo with gardening. (Website, Presentation)

Winners:

  • 1st Place: Multisig (Minotaur)
  • 2nd Place: Oracle-Pools2
  • 3rd Place: ErgoSock/ErgoNodes (Satergo)
  • Special Prize (1000 SigUSD each from Ergo whale): ergo-graphql, NightOwl
  • Community Favourites: NightOwl, Azorus, ergo-graphql, ErgoNation, dappStep

See the Hall of Fame Entry | Presentations Drive

ERGOHACK 3: Privacy and Security#

(February 2022)

Summary: ErgoHack III emphasized creativity in "Privacy & Security". Participation grew significantly, with projects tackling NFTs, wallet DNS (ErgoDNS), Stealth Addresses, and more, pushing DLT boundaries.

Projects:

  • Tooling
    • The Delphi Project: Platform to explore, run, launch decentralized oracles. (Website, Report)
    • Ergo-Castanet: Petri Nets for Smart Contract protocol specification/validation (EIP-0006) for headless dApps orchestration/testing. (Report)
  • Exchange (EX)
    • SkyHarbor: Fast, efficient primary Ergo NFT marketplace using Smart Contracts. (Video)
    • GuapSwap: Fully decentralised smart contract profit-swapping service. (GitHub, Report)
    • anetaBTC: BTC wrapping protocol; integrated Yoroi/Nautilus wallets, worked on analytics dashboard. (Website, Report)
  • Gaming
    • Hypo10use (QuidGames): Continued work on multiplayer game platform, focused on contract compilation and transaction building/submission. (Website, Github)
    • NightOwl: Decentralised Casino on Ergo. (Website, GitHub, Slides)
  • Identity
    • ErgoDNS: MVP for resolving Ergo Names (NFTs) to wallet addresses; fully decentralised, on-chain ownership. (Video, Demo, GitHub Repos)
    • Stealth Addresses #1 (@aragogi): Stealth Scanner project + customised mixer version based on forum concept. (GitHub)
    • Stealth Addresses #2 (@_jd_): Added addSignWithDhtData function for signing with single DHT tuple (related to stealth addresses). (GitHub PR)
  • Wallets
    • Nautilus: Added Ledger hardware wallet support using ledgerjs-hw-app-ergo, assisted other teams. (Implementation, Video)
    • SAFEW: Implemented Ledger support and initial ErgoMixer integration. (Report)
    • Satergo: Implemented Ledger support (HID, Speculos emulator, Ergo Ledger app protocol in Java, signing utils). (Drive Folder)

Winners:

  • 1st Place: Stealth Addresses #1
  • 2nd Place: SAFEW
  • 3rd Place: Nautilus

Read the Announcement | See the Hall of Fame Entry

ERGOHACK II: Social Transformation#

(October 2021)

Summary: Following the "hack to change" theme, ErgoHack II focused on "Social Transformation". Projects tackled this from technical angles (Ergo Subpooling) and enterprise domains (Ergo Audio), producing high-quality ventures.

Projects:

  1. ErgoLend: Lending platform. (Now live @ ergolend.org) (GitHub)
  2. Minotaur Wallet: Wallet development. (GitHub)
  3. Ergopad: Launchpad / Dashboard project. (Now live @ ergopad.io) (GitHub)
  4. Ergo Subpooling: Subpooling solution allowing miners to share block rewards. (Concept evolved into GetBlok.io) (GitHub)
  5. HYPO10USE (QuidGames): Game platform focusing on translating game mechanics to the eUTXO model. (Github)
  6. Ergo Audio: Project exploring blockchain application in the audio/music enterprise domain.

Winners:

  • 1st Place: ErgoLend
  • 2nd Place: Ergo-Subpooling
  • 3rd Place: Quid Games (HYPO10USE)

Read the Announcement | See the Hall of Fame Entry

ERGOHACK I: Hack For Change#

(June 2021)

Summary: Ergo's inaugural hackathon, ERGOHACK I, was themed "Hack to Change". It marked the beginning of Ergo's developer-focused virtual events, with submissions ranging from lotteries to collaborative spending tools.

Projects:

  1. ErgoRaffle: Raffle/Lottery dApp. (Now live @ ergoraffle.com) (GitHub)
  2. Smart Pools: Concept for smart contract based mining pools. (Inspired GetBlok.io) (GitHub)
  3. Sigma Stamp: Timestamping service utilizing Ergo's features. (GitHub)
  4. Simpler Joint Spending Tool (ErgoTeam?): A user-friendly approach for collective spending on-chain. (Forum Post)
  5. Ergo Index Fund: Concept for an index fund built on Ergo.
  6. Ergo Charts: Charting tool for visualizing Ergo blockchain data.

Winners:

  • 1st Place: ErgoRaffle
  • 2nd Place: SigmaStamp
  • 3rd Place: ErgoTeam (presumably the Simpler Joint Spending Tool)

Read the Announcement | See the Hall of Fame Entry

Esteemed Judges Panel#

ERGOHACK events have consistently benefited from the insight and expertise of a diverse panel of judges drawn from the core Ergo team, prominent ecosystem projects, and valued partners. Their contributions are vital in recognizing innovation and guiding development. Past judges have included:

  • Alexander Chepurnoy (kushti): Ergo Core Developer; extensive blockchain background (NXT, Chainlink, Waves, IOHK).
  • Robert Kornacki: Ergo Foundation Board Member, Co-founder dcSpark; deep involvement in Ergo & Cardano.
  • Bruno Woltzenlogel Paleo: Technical Director at Input Output; designed SigmaUSD, contributed to Scorex.
  • Ilya Oskin: Ergo Core Developer; experienced software engineer.
  • Alexander Slesarenko: Ergo Foundation Board Member, Lead ErgoScript Developer; software architect background.
  • Aleksei Pupyshev (MrStahlfelge): Founder Graviton, Co-Founder Neutrino/Gravity protocols; background in HFT & pool analytics.
  • Marty (ErgoPad): Co-founder of Ergopad; focused on ecosystem growth and DeFi tools.
  • Anon_real (Darkfund0): Anonymous core contributor; developer of ZK Treasury, Ergo Auction House, EIP contributor.
  • Joseph Armeanio: Ergo Foundation Business Developer; focus on partnerships, adoption, and counter-economic tools.
  • Mark Glasgow: Ergo Foundation Member; Computing Science background, focus on inclusive systems.
  • Luivatra (ErgoPad): Ergoscript Developer at ErgoPad/Paideia; background in CS (AI/Games) & Finance.
  • Representatives from Partner Projects: Including Flux, Alephium, and the Djed Alliance during co-hosted events.

(Note: Judge panels vary for each event. This list highlights some of the key contributors over time.)