At Nethermind, we love pushing the boundaries of what's possible within the blockchain ecosystem. We invite you to leverage our tools, expertise and partnerships to bring your best ideas to life. Our work spans many areas of blockchain development, including staking innovations, the integration of AI with blockchain, advancements in ZK proofs, MEV innovations, institutional solutions, and the development of Starknet tooling and infrastructure.
This prize recognizes the most innovative use of Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs within the Ethereum ecosystem, privacy enhancements, and scalability improvements. We encourage submissions that explore proof aggregation, align with Vitalik's singularity roadmap, offer zkEVM-related solutions, or develop educational tooling. While Starknet-based solutions are highlighted, we welcome any L2-based submissions that advance the use of ZK technology.
Implementation of novel ZK publication, recent advances in SNARK folding. Proof aggregation of SNARKs and STARKs. Optimizing implementation of existing SNARK/STARK systems. Novel uses of the qualifying technologies.
This prize aims to spotlight solutions that address, optimize, or innovate within the realm of Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) on Ethereum. We welcome a broad range of projects, from research- and theoretical-based explorations to practical applications, including but not limited to Proposer Builder Separation (PBS), preconfirmations, block building strategies, order flow optimizations, and MEV-related data dashboards. Participants are encouraged to draw inspiration from the pioneering work of Flashbots, SUAVE, and ongoing research by Ethereum community scholars. Suggested areas of focus
Pricing of preconfirmations and block space options. New searching strategies for MEV (using AI, linear programming). Mechanism design to combat builder centralization.
This prize celebrates innovative solutions that improve data availability and utilization within the blockchain ecosystem. We are looking for projects that offer new approaches to using blob space, enhance data availability (DA) on Layer 2 (L2) solutions, develop alternative DA layers for L2s, or provide insightful research on DA technologies. Submissions could include data dashboards, practical use cases around EIP-4844, unusual applications of blob space, or educational tools that elucidate DA concepts. Incorporating ideas from Starknet Volition, EIP-4844, EigenDA, and NEAR Data Availability into your projects is highly encouraged.
Suggested areas of focus
Qualifications are: EigenDA, EIP-4844 blobs, NEAR DA, Celestia, Avail. Links to each are provided as resources.
This prize targets the enhancement of security measures for users within the Ethereum ecosystem, with a special emphasis on securing transactions, smart contracts, and network interactions. Participants should propose solutions that address the security of the Cairo language, strengthen the Starknet network, and leverage Ethereum's capabilities for safer user experiences. Ideal projects may involve developing wallet extensions, tools for automated transaction analysis, enhancements to the Voyager block explorer for Starknet, and advanced auditing and formal verification tooling for Cairo smart contracts. This prize also seeks innovations in slashing protection and secure staking mechanisms, particularly for institutional stakeholders. Solutions that integrate Account Abstraction and utilize Pimlico tools to secure user experiences, as well as those contributing to the analysis of RIP-7614, are highly valued.
Extensions to Cairo and extensions to Solidity. Security tooling for Cairo and Solidity. Novel formal verification tooling using Lean or other theorem-proving software. Use of pimlico. Novel RPC protection mechanisms. RIP-7614 related analyses. Security extensions to open source wallets. Slashing protection mechanisms.
This prize is dedicated to the development of groundbreaking infrastructure tools that streamline the setup and management of nodes, relayers, and block builders for blockchain networks. We are seeking innovative solutions that facilitate the operations of DevOps teams working on Starknet, Ethereum, and various Layer 2 solutions. Submissions should focus on creating or enhancing tools for bridging solutions, Decentralized Validator Networks (DVNs), Actively Validator Services (AVSs), data availability (DA) infrastructure, and infrastructure for block explorers and APIs. Additionally, innovative ideas for rollups as a service and Layer 3 (L3) tooling tailored for Starknet are welcome.
Suggested areas of focus
LayerZero tooling, EigenLayer AVS, BlockScout API, Voyager API, Nethermind RPC service, Starknet tooling, Nethermind Client
This prize recognizes groundbreaking solutions enhancing user experience via account abstraction on blockchain platforms, focusing on Starknet and Ethereum. We seek innovative Starknet native account abstraction uses and wallet solutions like Braavos and Argent. Projects integrating account abstraction with bridging, using Starknet and LayerZero tooling, stand out. Furthermore, we welcome the exploration of account abstraction in the context of MEV, especially projects that integrate with SUAVE. This category also considers World ID by Worldcoin for identity verification in blockchain interactions, account abstraction tooling for platforms like Farcaster, educational content on account abstraction, and reviews or implementations of relevant Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), such as EIP-3074.
Blockscout API (for visualisers), Pimlico, Braavos, Argent, LayerZero bridge, Flashbots SUAVE, World ID, Starknet Abstract Accounts.
This prize encourages the creation of innovative solutions that push the boundaries of metaverse development, incorporating advanced technologies and blockchain capabilities. We invite participants to develop projects that leverage the potential of partners like Improbable and Starknet, and are compatible with devices such as Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro. Submissions should focus on creating generative worlds, utilizing NFTs for metaverse engagement, and building blockchain economy support for metaverse events and digital art showcases. We are particularly interested in solutions that enhance Starknet gaming experiences within the metaverse, utilize computational integrity, and incorporate account abstraction for seamless metaverse interactions.
Suggested areas of focus
MSquared, Starknet, VR headsets (Quest 3, Apple Vision Pro etc), and Generative AI models.
The prize promotes the development of blockchain solutions that facilitate institutional adoption. It seeks projects that streamline processes, enhance security, and ensure robustness for institutions engaging with blockchain technology. Areas of interest include the development of Nethermind plugins tailored for institutional needs, institutional staking mechanisms, customized wallets, DeFi platforms designed for institutional usage, comprehensive research and analytical dashboards, and KYB/KYC tooling with enhanced safeguards.
On-chain KYC/AML Solution, Blockchain Data API, Tokenization standards (ERC-1400; ERC-3643, CAT, etc.), Lend/Borrow protocols, proof of personhood solutions for institutions, ERC-4337 based solutions for institutions, attestation services for institutions, coprocessors usage for institutions, usage of SUAVE for institutional clients / TradFi.
This prize is for projects exploring innovative approaches to staking or restaking on Ethereum. We are looking for submissions that demonstrate early-stage implementations or experimental data solutions. Projects should aim to contribute to the staking ecosystem, focusing on practicality, creativity, and technical execution. While complete projects are appreciated, well-executed components of a larger idea are also valuable.
New restaking use case on EigenLayer, AVS tooling, distributed validator applications and improvements. Novel data dashboards for EigenLayer, Obol, or Lido. Extending Ethereum functionality through the staking/restaking primitives. Restaking/staking related EIP proposals.
This prize seeks innovative solutions at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology. We encourage participants to explore AI applications that enhance blockchain functionality, user experience, identity verification, truth verification, and more. Submissions can range from AI-supported user onboarding processes to advanced solutions for maintaining Machine Learning (ML) computational integrity using Starknet and Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs. Research projects examining the role of AI in blockchain are also welcome, as are solutions leveraging AI for on-chain trading and Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) optimization.
Suggested areas of focus
gizatech.xyz, modulus, pth, GGML, ckpt, ONNX, HF, Safetensor, and any AI model (LLMs, huggingface models) interacting with or on any chain. We prefer the use of open-source models.
Starknet unlocks the ability to utilize significantly more compute because of its pioneering Stark prover system. This category is simple, implement anything in Cairo on Starknet, with one caveat: It must use significantly more on-chain or provable off-chain compute to differentiate it from the competition. Novel applications that donβt exist in the Starknet ecosystem are preferred.
Applications can assume the existence of an off-chain Cairo prover SHARP. API keys for SHARP may be available by the time of the hackathon. Note: If you use SHARP, you must use Cario 0, which is not the easiest language or stack.
The most significant portion of the project must be a contract run on Starknet. Contestants need to submit a short description of what the application does, a justification of why a large unlock in compute makes this application novel and a link to the contract on Starknet Goerli or Sepolia.
The usage of Nethermind Starknet RPC and Voyager API is preferred.
Alternatively, projects using the Cairo playground and SHARP with a contract on Ethereumβs Seploia network are valid, too.
This prize is dedicated to the development of groundbreaking infrastructure tools that streamline the setup and management of nodes, relayers, and block builders for blockchain networks. We are seeking innovative solutions that facilitate the operations of DevOps teams working on Starknet, Ethereum, and various Layer 2 solutions. Submissions should focus on creating or enhancing tools for bridging solutions, Decentralized Validator Networks (DVNs), Actively Validator Services (AVSs), data availability (DA) infrastructure, and infrastructure for block explorers and APIs. Additionally, innovative ideas for rollups as a service and Layer 3 (L3) tooling tailored for Starknet are welcome.
Suggested areas of focus
LayerZero tooling, EigenLayer AVS, BlockScout API, Voyager API, Nethermind RPC service, Starknet tooling, Nethermind Client
In this workshop, explore Ethereum's challenges related to AI and blockchain. We'll discuss Starknet's role in scal...
05:00 PM GMT β Friday, Mar 15, 2024 in Workshop Room 1
ETHGlobal London