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Nethermind

$20,000

nethermind.io
nethermindeth

About

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.

Prizes

🏆 Zero-Knowledge (ZK) innovations ⸺ $1,500
🥇
1st place
$1,000
🥈
2nd place
$500
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. - Proof Aggregation: Innovations that improve efficiency and scalability through proof aggregation. - ZK in Ethereum & L2s: Solutions that leverage ZK for privacy, scaling, and enhancing Ethereum and its L2 networks. - Novel Educational Tooling: Tools and platforms that facilitate the understanding and development of ZK applications. For example, visualization tools and interactive platforms.

Qualification Requirements

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.

🏆 Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) innovations ⸺ $1,500
🥇
1st place
$1,000
🥈
2nd place
$500
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 - PBS & Preconfirmations: Solutions enhancing Ethereum's transaction ordering process, including PBS and preconfirmation mechanisms. - Block Building & Order Flow: Innovations in block construction and order flow management to optimize MEV extraction and mitigation. - Data Dashboards: Development of tools and dashboards that provide insights into MEV activities and opportunities. - Research Applications: Theoretical or applied research projects that contribute to the understanding and ethical harnessing of MEV.

Qualification Requirements

Pricing of preconfirmations and block space options. New searching strategies for MEV (using AI, linear programming). Mechanism design to combat builder centralization.

🏆 Data availability solutions ⸺ $1,000
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 * Blob Space Utilization: Creative uses of blob space and solutions that address its pricing, gas implications or aggregation. * L2 Support and Alternative DA Layers: Enhancements to DA in L2 ecosystems or new DA layer propositions. * Educational Tools and Visualizers: Tools that aid in understanding DA and its impact on blockchain systems. * Research and Modeling: Studies exploring the behaviour of assets in rollups depending on the DA mechanism employed.

Qualification Requirements

Qualifications are: EigenDA, EIP-4844 blobs, NEAR DA, Celestia, Avail. Links to each are provided as resources.

🏆 User security enhancements ⸺ $500
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. * Cairo Language & Starknet Security: Tools and practices aimed at securing Cairo language smart contracts and the Starknet network. * Smart Contract Auditing & Formal Verification: Development of auditing and formal verification tools tailored to Starknet and Ethereum smart contracts plus AI solutions. * Slashing Protection & Secure Staking: Innovations that offer robust slashing protection and secure staking solutions for institutions. * Account Abstraction & User Experience: Use of Account Abstraction and Pimlico tools for enhancing security and user interface.

Qualification Requirements

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.

🏆 Blockchain infrastructure tools ⸺ $1,000
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 * Node, relayer, and block builder tools: Solutions that simplify the setup and management of blockchain infrastructure components. * Bridging solutions & DVNs: Projects that enhance interoperability between chains and improve network security and decentralization, with a nod to our partnership with LayerZero and EigenLayer. * Data availability & block explorer infrastructure: Development of infrastructure supporting data availability and advanced block explorers and APIs, including integration with Voyager API, StarknetRPC, and BlockScout. * Rollups as a Service & L3 tooling for Starknet: Innovations in providing scalable, efficient rollup services and developing Layer 3 solutions specifically for the Starknet ecosystem.

Qualification Requirements

LayerZero tooling, EigenLayer AVS, BlockScout API, Voyager API, Nethermind RPC service, Starknet tooling, Nethermind Client

🏆 Account abstraction & user experience ⸺ $1,500
🥇
1st place
$1,000
🥈
2nd place
$500
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. - Starknet account abstraction & wallet solutions: Leveraging Braavos and Argent for enhanced user experiences or creating novel Account contracts. - World ID Integration: Innovative World ID integrations with account abstraction for improved identity verification. and user authentication. - Account abstraction visualizers: Visualizers that simplify user interactions with account abstraction features. - Cross-chain: Solutions that integrate account abstraction with bridging technologies, particularly using Starknet and LayerZero. - MEV & account abstraction: Investigating the relationship between account abstraction and MEV, with a focus on the SUAVE project.

Qualification Requirements

Blockscout API (for visualisers), Pimlico, Braavos, Argent, LayerZero bridge, Flashbots SUAVE, World ID, Starknet Abstract Accounts.

🏆 Metaverse Development ⸺ $1,000
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 * Generative worlds: Innovative use of technology to create dynamic, evolving virtual environments. * NFTs for metaverse engagement: Development of NFTs that enhance user interaction and ownership within the metaverse. * Blockchain economy for metaverse events: Solutions that leverage blockchain to support economic transactions and interactions within digital events and art exhibitions. * Starknet gaming: Enhancing gaming experiences in the metaverse through Starknet's capabilities, focusing on scalability, security, and user engagement. * Computational integrity & account abstraction: Utilizing these technologies to ensure secure and seamless user experiences within the metaverse.

Qualification Requirements

MSquared, Starknet, VR headsets (Quest 3, Apple Vision Pro etc), and Generative AI models.

🏆 Institutional Blockchain Solutions ⸺ $1,000
Up to 2 teams will receive $500
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. * Streamline blockchain adoption processes for institutions like immutable audit trails for position reconciliation. * Cryptographic receipts for PoS, ownership, or reserves. Monitoring of liquidity pool toxicity levels. * Secure staking protocols and wallets tailored for institutional users and optimal exit strategy from staked/delegated assets. * Platforms and tools that make DeFi usable for institutions, ensuring compliance and security while focusing on liquidity and secondary markets benefits. * Tools that provide institutions with insights into blockchain markets and tech covering but not limited to dashboards presenting all assets held at various custodians, staking solutions, and queue length. * Advanced on-chain KYB and KYC solutions that meet institutional standards for security and compliance. Solving ongoing chain due diligence and risk tiers. * Sandboxes to leverage and test tokenization principles in a safe and controlled environment.

Qualification Requirements

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.

🏆 Staking/restaking innovations ⸺ $1,500
🥇
1st place
$1,000
🥈
2nd place
$500
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.

Qualification Requirements

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.

🏆 AI integration in blockchain ⸺ $2,000
🥇
1st place
$1,000
🥈
2nd place
$500 ×2
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 * ML Computational Integrity: Explore how Starknet and ZK proofs can support the integrity of ML computations on the blockchain. * User Experience: Solutions that use AI to improve blockchain user onboarding, interaction, and overall experience. * Identity and Truth Verification: AI-driven approaches to enhance identity verification and truth verification processes on the blockchain. * On-Chain Trading and MEV: Innovations using AI to optimize trading strategies and MEV on the blockchain. * On-chain AI: DAOs and other on-chain contracts using decisions from verifiable AI.

Qualification Requirements

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.

🏆 Best projects building on Starknet ⸺ $5,500
Up to 4 teams will receive $1,375
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 don’t 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.

Qualification Requirements

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 Ethereum’s Seploia network are valid, too.

🤝 Best Web3 Social ⸺ $2,000
🥇
1st place
$1,000
🥈
2nd place
$500 ×2
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 * Node, relayer, and block builder tools: Solutions that simplify the setup and management of blockchain infrastructure components. * Bridging solutions & DVNs: Projects that enhance interoperability between chains and improve network security and decentralization, with a nod to our partnership with LayerZero and EigenLayer. * Data availability & block explorer infrastructure: Development of infrastructure supporting data availability and advanced block explorers and APIs, including integration with Voyager API, StarknetRPC, and BlockScout. * Rollups as a Service & L3 tooling for Starknet: Innovations in providing scalable, efficient rollup services and developing Layer 3 solutions specifically for the Starknet ecosystem.

Qualification Requirements

LayerZero tooling, EigenLayer AVS, BlockScout API, Voyager API, Nethermind RPC service, Starknet tooling, Nethermind Client

Resources

Nethermind GitHub
https://github.com/NethermindEth
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Nethermind website
https://www.nethermind.io/
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Workshop

Unveiling Ethereum's challenges: Our approach...

In this workshop, explore Ethereum's challenges related to AI and blockchain. We'll discuss Starknet's role in scal...

This workshop is happening in-person

05:00 PM GMT — Friday, Mar 15, 2024 in Workshop Room 1

Guides

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