RGB
RequiredIssue, transfer and verify assets on Bitcoin with client-side validation.
Powered by local AI
Agentic Dollars
on Bitcoin
Two days to build self-custodial dollar apps driven by models that run on device. No cloud, no custodian.
Local AI ✦ Teams of 2 to 4 ✦ Free to attend ✦ Apply by 03.10 ✦
The prize
The winners head to Lugano.
The winning team gets a guaranteed place in the CypherTank semifinals, Lugano's Bitcoin startup contest.
The contest
What is CypherTank?
A pitch competition and business-reality format for Bitcoin and freedom tech projects, now in its second season, promoted and funded by the Plan B VC Fund and the Plan B Foundation in Lugano.
Twelve finalist projects pitch over two days in front of a board of judges, negotiating direct investment and competing for three prizes in incubation, acceleration and relocation services. The final is recorded and published as episodes, and every finalist gets mentorship, promotion and access to the Plan B network.
www.cyphertank.orgWhy local AI
The model runs on your device.
An agent that handles your money should not send your finances to someone else's server. With local models, self-custody and Bitcoin settlement, the entire flow stays in the user's hands.
Private by defaultWorks offlineNo per-call cost
How it works
From today to demo day.
Now — 3 Oct
Applications
Tell us about your background and what you want to build.
24 Sep
Tutorials
Tool tutorials published for every applicant.
4 — 12 Oct
Selection
Selection and confirmation of admitted builders.
13 Oct
Technical Q&A
Live session with the mentors for confirmed participants.
17 — 18 Oct
Hackathon
Two days at BLOX, final demos and awards on Sunday.
The weekend
Schedule
Saturday 17 October
09:00
Doors open, kickoff, teams start building
Sunday 18 October
15:00
Building ends, projects submitted
From 16:00
Project pitches and awards ceremony
Meals are covered during the event. The detailed run of show goes out to confirmed participants before the weekend.
70 places · applications close on October 3
build it
in Turin.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Do I need to know Bitcoin already?+
No. Most people who apply have never used RGB or built on Bitcoin, and that is exactly who this weekend is for. We’ll publish recorded tutorials for all three tools before the event, and mentors will be on site both days. What matters is that you want to build something.
Can I apply without a team?+
Yes, and a lot of people do. When compiling the form, tell us that you are applying solo, and we will help you find teammates before the event, or on the first morning. The teams are composed of two to four people.
How are applications selected?+
We read every application. We look for motivation and for a clear vision of what you want to build around AI and payment infrastructure, not for a long CV or years of experience. Places are limited to around 70, so tell us honestly what draws you here.
Is it free? Are meals covered?+
The hackathon is free to attend. Lunch on Saturday, an afternoon coffee break and breakfast on Sunday are covered for all participants. You only cover your own travel and accommodation.
Do I have to use RGB, QVAC and WDK?+
RGB and QVAC are required for every project. WDK is optional, but strongly encouraged: integrating self-custodial wallets earns bonus points during judging.
Who are the judges?+
Projects are judged by team members from Tether, KaleidoSwap and Utexo: the teams building on RGB, QVAC and WDK in production. Full judging lineup announced closer to the event.
What kind of laptop do I need?+
Nothing exotic. The models we recommend for this hackathon are small and quantized, and run on an ordinary laptop. You only need one capable machine per team, not one each, and mentors are on site to help with setup. Recommended models and minimum specs come with the tutorials.
Can I bring a project I already started?+
Yes, but we only judge what you build during the hackathon. Declare what already exists when you arrive, keep the weekend’s work in dated commits, and do the RGB and QVAC integration on site.
What time does the event actually end on Sunday?+
Pitches start at 16:00 and we keep them tight, awards included, so everyone can head home at a reasonable hour. This decision is designed with train travelers in mind, so you shouldn’t need to worry about missing the last one of the day.
The tools
Start exploring before you arrive.
QVAC
Local AIRun AI models directly on device, with no cloud and no per-call cost.
WDK
Self-custodial walletsEmbed a wallet into your app so users can hold, sign and send with their own keys.
What you can build
Four directions, no fixed brief.
Local AI, payments and wallets for digital dollars you hold yourself. Bitcoin is the settlement layer underneath, and we will show you how it works.
Payments and checkout
Invoicing, payroll and cross-border flows
Self-custodial digital dollar apps
Wallets, savings and shared accounts
Private financial intelligence
On-device budgeting and fraud alerts
Autonomous economic agents
Local AI proposes, you approve
How projects are judged
Five criteria, equal weight
Every judge scores each project from 1 to 5 on the five criteria below. We tell you upfront, so you can build for it.
- 1
RGB usage
How real and correct the integration with RGB Protocol on Bitcoin is. Working transactions, not simulated.
- 2
QVAC and local AI
How much the model genuinely runs on device, and how central it is to the project. We look at how you use it, not at model size.
- 3
Execution
Whether the project runs end to end, and how much substantial work was done during the hackathon hours.
- 4
Marketability
Whether it solves a real problem, for someone identifiable, with a reason to exist after Sunday.
- 5
UX and UI
How usable and understandable the flow is for someone who did not build it. We judge the flow, not the aesthetics: clarity of steps, error handling, how intuitive it is for an outsider.
Bonus points for WDK. Using Tether WDK is optional, but a working integration earns extra points on top of your total, and a well-built, central integration earns the full bonus.
The venue
How to get there.
The hackathon takes place at BLOX Space, in central Turin.
info@bitpolito.it
Apply to be part of the team
