In 2025, we took a major step forward in strengthening Africa’s Bitcoin developer pipeline through the Btrust Builders program. 🚀 Over the course of the year, 493 developers across Africa and beyond were supported through Builders pathways, selected from 1,800+ applications, a 180% increase from the previous year. Developers joined from 15+ countries, spanning West, East, Central, and Southern Africa, with additional participation from South America, Europe, and South Asia. We evolved from a single‑cohort program into a continuous, modular learning pipeline, supporting developers at different stages; from first exposure to Bitcoin, through hands-on technical learning, and into real open‑source contributions. In 2025, we delivered: • Foundational learning through Mastering Bitcoin • Hands‑on technical practice via Bitcoin from the Command Line • Protocol‑level development in Rust for Bitcoiners • Programming fundamentals through Language Clubs (Python & C++) • Advanced open‑source onboarding through Start Your Career in BOSS To bridge learning and contribution, we also launched our first Open Source Bootcamp. Over four weeks, 38 developers from 7 countries submitted 103 code contributions, opened 50+ pull requests, and saw 12 PRs merged, including 3 to Bitcoin Core. The impact went well beyond training. Several Builders alumni transitioned into fully funded open‑source work, supported by @Btrust and @npub17xvf...c9as, contributing to projects like Bitcoin Core, LDK Node, BlueWallet, Bitcoin Dev Kit, and Rust‑Payjoin. Others went on to start their own Bitcoin projects, applying what they learned to build new tools and infrastructure in the ecosystem. We also launched the Builders Resource Hub, which has since been widely shared across the Bitcoin developer ecosystem as a go‑to learning library for open‑source contribution, tooling, and deep technical study. Check it out here:

Resource Hub | btrust builders pathways

Curated resources divided into sections for easy digest

In recognition of this work, the @npub1q7qt...q5kj team named Btrust Builders the 2025 African Bitcoin Project of the Year at the 2025 @npub1dtvs...wc6t. All this was made possible by the dedication of faculty and chaperones, many of whom are alumni themselves; mentors who gave their time, experience, and patience; and the core Builders team, including Stephanie Titcombe, the program lead, and Kelvin Isievwore, the engineering lead, who carried the vision from design through delivery. Just as importantly, the wider Builders community, learners, alumni, contributors, and supporters, shaped the culture that made collaboration, accountability, and growth possible.🧡 We’ve shared what worked, what we learned, and how Builders has grown into a long‑term contributor pipeline helping decentralize Bitcoin development. ➡️ Read the full blog for more:

Btrust Blog

Strengthening Africa’s Bitcoin Developer Pipeline: Reflections from 2025

In 2025, hundreds of developers across Africa took their first steps into Bitcoin’s open‑source ecosystem, learning how it works, how to contri...

Last call 🚨 Today’s the final day to apply for the BOSS Challenge by Chaincode Labs. If you’ve been thinking about getting into Bitcoin open-source development, this is your sign. Apply to join the 2026 cohort here:

Chaincode Labs

1 day to go! 🚨 Thinking about a career in Bitcoin open-source development? The BOSS Challenge by Chaincode Labs is designed to help developers take their first steps into the Bitcoin open-source ecosystem. Alumni from previous cohorts have gone on to build funded careers in open-source development. Applications close tomorrow, and you have until January 12 to complete the preliminary challenge (Saving Satoshi). Apply to join the 2026 cohort here:

Chaincode Labs

Only 3 days left to apply for the 2026 ₿OSS Challenge 🚨 Applications close on December 31st, and once you’ve applied, you’ll have until January 12th to complete the @savingsatoshi challenge. Learn more and apply to join the cohort here:

Chaincode Labs

“The ₿OSS program was intense, fast‑paced, and fun. It changed my life.” Chuks Meet Chuks, a software engineer from Lagos 🇳🇬, one of the outstanding 2025 ₿OSS alumni whose journey embodies what the program is all about: growth, contribution, and impact. With over eight years of experience building and maintaining complex software systems, Chuks joined the BOSS Challenge eager to expand his understanding of Bitcoin and Lightning Network development. The program helped him dive deep into open‑source collaboration, system architecture, and critical protocol work, areas that now define his career. Since graduating, Chuks has contributed extensively to key Bitcoin and Lightning open‑source projects, including Lightning Dev Kit (LDK), LDK‑Node, and SimLN, where his improvements have strengthened code reliability, testing infrastructure, and payment protocols. He’s also building PeepsWire, a Lightning‑powered video calling application showcasing how Bitcoin can drive real‑world innovation. Today, Chuks continues to work full‑time in the ecosystem through the @Btrust starter grant, accelerating his work on BIP 353 integration (Human‑Readable payment addresses) and improving simulation tools that help developers test and advance the Lightning Network. Chuks’ journey started with the ₿OSS program, and now continues through funded open‑source work that’s shaping the future of Bitcoin engineering. Ready to begin your open‑source journey? Applications for the 2026 ₿OSS Challenge, by Chaincode Labs, are open. This structured, hands‑on program helps new developers take their first steps into Bitcoin open‑source, gain mentorship, and build a path toward sustainable, funded careers, just like Chuks did. 🗓️ Applications close: December 31st, 2025 🗓️ Program starts: Week of January 12th, 2026 📝 Apply for the 2026 cohort:

Chaincode Labs

🔗 Learn more about the program:

Btrust Blog

Btrust Builders & Chaincode Labs Partner Again for the 2026 BOSS Challenge

Applications are ongoing for the 2026 ₿OSS (Bitcoin Open-Source Software) Challenge, kicking off January 12, 2026.

“The ₿OSS challenge really helped me think deeply about Bitcoin and learn more about it and open‑source development.” Rita, 2025 ₿OSS alumna. Meet Rita, a Lagos🇳🇬‑based software developer and one of the 2025 ₿OSS alumni. Before joining the program, Rita already had over three years of experience building and improving fintech and logistics solutions. But her time in the ₿OSS program became a turning point. Through the program, she deepened her understanding of Bitcoin technologies and the Lightning Network, contributing to major open‑source projects like LDK Node, Warnet, and CircuitBreaker; critical components that underpin the scalability and resilience of @Btrust grantee, Rita is continuing her work full‑time on LDK Node and Warnet, focusing on improving transaction lifecycle management, payment tracking, and developer tools to make Bitcoin infrastructure even more reliable and user‑friendly. Rita’s journey is a great example of what’s possible through the BOSS Challenge, created by Chaincode Labs. This is a structured, hands‑on program designed to help developers start building open‑source Bitcoin projects and grow into funded contributors. Ready to build your own Bitcoin story? Applications are ongoing for the 2026 BOSS cohort. If you’re a developer passionate about learning, contributing, and building for Bitcoin, this is your chance. 🗓️ Applications close December 31, 2025 🗓️ Program starts the week of January 12, 2026 🔗 Learn more about the program:

Btrust Blog

Btrust Builders & Chaincode Labs Partner Again for the 2026 BOSS Challenge

Applications are ongoing for the 2026 ₿OSS (Bitcoin Open-Source Software) Challenge, kicking off January 12, 2026.

📝 Apply for the 2026 cohort:

Chaincode Labs

Meet Shammah Agwor, one of the 2025 BOSS alumni, a passionate software engineer from Port Harcourt, Nigeria 🇳🇬, who has steadily grown into an active Bitcoin open‑source contributor. Shammah’s journey began long before joining the BOSS program. With a background in security engineering and years of experience in backend systems, he discovered his true calling in Bitcoin open‑source development. Through the program, he deepened his work in Rust‑Payjoin, a privacy‑enhancing Bitcoin project focused on improving transaction privacy and disrupting common input ownership heuristics. Today, Shammah continues to contribute full‑time to Bitcoin open-source. His work on Rust‑Payjoin includes major improvements like metrics collection for adoption tracking, caching mechanisms for performance, and better code structure for maintainability, all critical to strengthening Bitcoin’s privacy layer and reliability. Shammah’s ongoing impact as a @Btrust‑funded grantee reflects what’s possible for African developers who take that first step into the ₿OSS ecosystem. Ready to start your own Bitcoin open‑source journey? Applications are now open for the 2026 ₿OSS Challenge, in partnership with Chaincode Labs. This is your chance to gain hands‑on experience, mentorship, and a pathway into the global Bitcoin open‑source community, just like Shammah did. 🔗 Learn more about the program:

Btrust Blog

Btrust Builders & Chaincode Labs Partner Again for the 2026 BOSS Challenge

Applications are ongoing for the 2026 ₿OSS (Bitcoin Open-Source Software) Challenge, kicking off January 12, 2026.

📝 Apply for the 2026 cohort:

Chaincode Labs

A week after the @npub1dtvs...wc6t, we’re still feeling the excitement. 🙌🎉 This year was especially meaningful as we were recognized as the African Bitcoin Project of the Year, a huge honor we're grateful to the @npub1q7qt...q5kj team for. Some of our community members also hosted workshops, we connected with builders from across the world, and the sessions throughout the conference were incredibly insightful. The conversations opened up fresh perspectives and sparked exciting ideas. We’re grateful to @Btrust for the chance to be part of it, and we’re already looking forward to the next one. Till then, we keep building 🚀 #ABC25 #ABC2025

Thank you so much! This means the world to us.🥹🧡 From the bottom of our hearts, we're grateful. To our builders, faculty, chaperones, mentors, and the entire community, this award is yours. We wouldn't have achieved this without your dedication, belief, and hard work. We're honoured to keep building for, and with, all of you. 💪🚀 View quoted note →

We recently had the pleasure of participating in the 2025 #BtrustGathering in Mauritius🇲🇺. Our faculty, several alumni, now @Btrust grantees, and top students from the 2025 pathways were all represented. Our program lead, Stephanie Titcombe, walked attendees through our 2025 program report, highlighting achievements like the program redesign (https://pathways.btrust.tech/) and the strengthened support plan for builders in the BOSS program. We also spent time collaborating with builders and Global South programs to explore ideas that will help us refine and elevate our work going into 2026. It was great finally meeting people we’ve only worked with online and reconnecting with familiar faces. Looking forward to the work ahead. 💪

We’re excited to partner with Chaincode Labs once again for the 2026 BOSS (Bitcoin Open‑Source Software) Challenge. 🚀 The ₿OSS Challenge is a structured, hands‑on program designed to help developers take their first steps into Bitcoin open‑source development. Here’s how it works: 🔸 Month 1: A fully guided, hands‑on learning experience featuring coding exercises, mentorship, and technical discussions led by Bitcoin open‑source contributors. 🔸 Months 2 & 3: Top performers continue with advanced mentorship and project work through Chaincode Labs, while other participants engage in partner‑supported pathways to keep learning and building. This program has already helped developers across Africa launch into meaningful open‑source careers. Several participants from the 2025 cohort are now Btrust-funded grantees contributing full‑time to Bitcoin and Lightning projects. If you’re a developer ready to learn, build, and contribute to Bitcoin open‑source software, this is your opportunity. 🗓️ Applications are ongoing until December 31st, 2025. 🗓️ Program starts the week of January 12th, 2026. Learn more about the partnership and program in our latest blog post:

Btrust Blog

Btrust Builders & Chaincode Labs Partner Again for the 2026 BOSS Challenge

Applications are ongoing for the 2026 ₿OSS (Bitcoin Open-Source Software) Challenge, kicking off January 12, 2026.

👉 Apply to join the 2026 ₿OSS Challenge cohort here:

Chaincode Labs

Last Saturday, BitDevs Kano 🇳🇬 held their first Bitcoin and Lightning-powered hackathon exploring open-source solutions for EdTech challenges in Nigeria. Over 50 participants spent the day forming teams, building prototypes, and exchanging ideas on how blockchain and Lightning technology can improve access and transparency in education. Mentors guided the process, and quick lightning talks sparked fresh thinking between coding sessions. The event highlighted Bitcoin’s potential in tackling real-world challenges while strengthening Kano’s growing developer community.

Behind every successful Btrust Builders cohort is a faculty team whose dedication carries the program forward. 🧡 This year, many of them, alumni themselves, returned to mentor, teach and walk alongside participants, turning their own experiences into guidance for the next wave of open‑source Bitcoin and Lightning developers. We’re proud to celebrate this collective of builders and mentors who made this year’s journey so meaningful. Their stories are inspiring, and their contributions remind us that the heart of Btrust Builders lies in its people. 👉 Read more about them on our blog:

Btrust Blog

Celebrating Our Faculty: The Heart of Btrust Builders

Behind every successful Btrust Builders cohort is a team of dedicated faculty members who go above and beyond to shape the learning journey. This y...

We’re excited to share Bitcoin Core Principles by @npub13vk4...m2ah 🚀 This course goes beyond how Bitcoin works to explain why it was designed with decentralization, absolute scarcity, and immutability, and why the base layer changes slowly on purpose. During the course you’ll cover: • The philosophy of decentralization and the trade-offs that keep Bitcoin neutral. • Why scarcity matters, how the timechain protects history, and why finality is social as much as technical. • Fungibility, privacy, and scalability across layers. • How change happens: BIPs, social consensus, activation paths, real case studies. • The developer ethos: humility, ossification, and building for the long term. Participants will engage in socratic, discussion-led sessions rather than passive lectures. They’ll also work through curated readings and hands-on workshops to cement their understanding. There will be experienced facilitators to guide participants through the sessions. Application deadline is October 10th, 2025 Classes start on October 13th and will be happening every Monday & Wednesday. The course is offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese. 🔗 Learn more, apply and share with a friend:

Libreria de Satoshi

We're super excited to announce the graduates of our first-ever Rust for Bitcoiners and Language Clubs cohorts. 🥳🎉 These talented developers from over 15 countries dedicated themselves to acquiring the core skills needed for open-source Bitcoin projects. We've captured all the highlights, insights from the cohorts, and what's next in our full recap, which you can read here:

Btrust Blog

Q2 2025 Btrust Builders Pathways Graduation

We are excited to announce the successful completion of the 2025 Btrust Builders’ Q2 Pathways. This was an initiative designed to equip developer...

If you're interested in joining upcoming cohorts, keep an eye out on our Discord and application page for details:

Btrust Builders Apply

Kickstart Your Bitcoin Developer Career

Do you get frustrated with how today’s digital payments seem to demand a tradeoff; forcing you to give up your privacy, pay high fees, or worry about data breaches every time you accept a transaction? Many merchants and shoppers feel boxed in by systems that leave a trail of personal information behind with every tap or scan, making privacy feel like a thing of the past. But what if you didn’t have to choose between fast, modern payments and the anonymity of cash? In our latest blog, Tobechi, a @Btrust grantee, introduces Cashu, a digital cash protocol that lets merchants enjoy the best of both worlds. With Cashu, you can accept Bitcoin-backed payments instantly and privately, without exposing customer data or risking chargebacks. The blog breaks down exactly how Cashu works, explaining the roles of tokens, wallets, and mints in this ecosystem. He explores ways businesses can benefit from Cashu. You’ll also find a simple guide on how to start accepting Cashu payments using BTCPay Server so you can quickly bring digital cash into your store. Curious how Cashu can transform your business and give your customers true payment privacy? Check out the full blog post here:

Btrust Blog

E-Cash for Commerce: How Cashu Empowers Merchants via Bitcoin

E-Cash for Commerce: How Cashu empowers merchants via Bitcoin

We did it! Our very first Open-Source Bootcamp brought together 38 developers from Africa and Brazil, equipping them to make contributions to Bitcoin open-source projects like Bitcoin Core and BTCPay Server.🚀 Over 4 weeks, this diverse group submitted 103 pieces of code, learned from experienced maintainers, and gained the skills and confidence to shape the future of open source. 👏 Kudos to everyone who joined, and an extra congratulations to those who made it to the end. 🔗 Check out our blog to see their journey, impact, and see what’s coming up:

Btrust Blog

Celebrating Our First Open Source Bootcamp

A few months ago, our team started discussing a common challenge: While many Builders Pathways graduates had the technical skills, stepping into th...

Unlock the future of Bitcoin node performance with our newest blog, Schnorr and Steady Wins the Race: The Case for Batch Validation. Oghenovo dives deep into how BIP340 Schnorr signatures and batch verification are transforming the efficiency of Bitcoin Core, explaining the math behind it, the use of multi-scalar multiplication, and the real benchmark data that demonstrates faster block verification times. As Taproot continues to gain traction and new technologies like Silent Payments, MuSig2, and FROST drive even greater Schnorr adoption, these optimisation techniques become essential to keep Bitcoin scalable, private, and secure. If you want to understand the mechanics of batch validation or see the real-world impact on block validation speed, this article covers that and sets the stage for the next era of Bitcoin scalability. Read the full article here:

Btrust Blog

Schnorr and Steady Wins the Race: The Case for Batch Validation

Understanding BIP340 Schnorr Signature Verification

Last week, BitDevs Gitega 🇧🇮 hosted its very first meetup! The community came together to explore Bitcoin and open-source development, with the team introducing BitDevs and breaking down the basics of Bitcoin and Lightning⚡. If you're in Gitega, come learn, build, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. For more info, visit: bitdevsgtga.org Here’s to the first of many! 🚀

Last Saturday, BitDevs Lagos 🇳🇬 hosted another meetup, bringing the community together for a hands-on and insightful session. Peter introduced the Bitcoin Development Kit (BDK) and the BDK CLI tool, showing how these can be used to build Bitcoin applications, manage wallets, sync data, and handle transactions with ease. Chigala then dove into Bitcoin scripting. He explained what OP_Codes are, how Bitcoin scripts operate using a stack-based model, and demonstrated how to construct scripts using different OP_Codes. With Bitscript (https://www.bitscript.app/), attendees had an interactive playground to experiment and test scripts themselves, making complex ideas more accessible. The meetup also marked Bitcoin Pizza Day, with plenty of pizza, great company, and vibrant conversations all around. 🍕 BitDevs Lagos remains one of the most active and longest-running BitDevs communities in Africa, thanks to the dedication of the organizers and the energy of everyone who attends. A huge thank you to Peter, Enyeazu, Tobechi and everyone who joined. See you at the next one!