WAYS of Privacy
Hackathon
Invent the Future of Private Payments on Solana
WAYSThe first production stealth-payment platform on Solana
Creating the Space We Wish Had Existed
WAYS began life as a stealth-address demo at a hackathon.
Today it is the first production stealth-payment platform on Solana.
Privacy is essential for everyday commerce.
Salaries, donations, subscriptions. Solana's speed and low fees finally make private transactions practical at scale.
Privacy First
We searched for an event focused entirely on private payments. There wasn't one.
Community Driven
So we're giving back by creating the space we wish had existed.
Solana Powered
Fast, cheap, and scalable infrastructure for the next generation of private payments.
$30,000 Prize Pool
Grand Winner
First Place
Second Place
Runner Up
Third Place
Bronze Medal
Winners also receive mentor time with WAYS engineers, swag, and potential follow-on grants.
Timeline
A full workshop calendar and speaker list will drop closer to launch. Stay tuned.
Application Portal Opens
Opening Ceremony & Workshops
Building Period
Submission Deadline
Judging and Showcase
Winners Announced
Open Innovation
This is an open hackathon. Any project that advances privacy payments on Solana qualifies. If you need inspiration, think in these broad categories:
Consumer Apps
mobile wallets, pay-links, tipping widgets, checkout plugins.
Infrastructure
relayers, indexers, analytics that protect user metadata.
Developer Tooling & SDKs
Rust/TypeScript libs, account-abstraction helpers, ZK building blocks.
Compliance & UX
privacy-preserving KYC flows, recoverability tools, auditor dashboards.
Judging Criteria
If your demo helps real people move money privately, it belongs here.
Ecosystem Partners
We recommend using our partners' products for your project. They provide essential infrastructure and tools for building on Solana.
Wallet infrastructure and embedded authentication solutions for seamless user onboarding.
High-performance RPC infrastructure and blockchain APIs for reliable Solana development.
The foundation supporting the Solana ecosystem with grants, tools, and developer resources.
Ready to Join?
Follow these steps to participate in the hackathon. The process is designed to be straightforward and supportive for developers of all experience levels.
Mark 10 August: application form goes live right here.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged.
Assemble a team (one to five members) or go solo.
Teams can be formed before or during the hackathon. Solo participants are welcome.
Collect partner credits we'll email voucher codes after acceptance.
Access free credits and premium features from our ecosystem partners.
Attend the online kickoff on 20 August for technical deep dives.
Join workshops, meet mentors, and get technical guidance to start building.
Build, test, and record a demo video.
Create your privacy payment solution and record a 5-minute demo showcasing all features.
Submit via the official WAYS submission form before the deadline.
Include your code repository, demo video, and project documentation.
Demo Video Requirements
Your demo video should be 5 minutes maximum and showcase all key features of your privacy payment solution. Include a brief explanation of the problem you're solving, your technical approach, and a live demonstration of your working prototype.
Discord support channels launch soon; we'll publish the invite with the application portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior Solana experience?
No. We provide beginner workshops and example repos to get you shipping fast.
Can I use an existing project?
Only new repositories created during the hackathon are eligible. You may reuse open-source libraries.
Is the event completely remote?
Yes. All sessions, mentoring, and judging happen online.
What tech stacks are allowed?
Anything that runs on Solana mainnet or testnet. Rust, Anchor, JavaScript, Python, Move, you name it.
How are prizes paid out?
USD-equivalent in USDC or SOL, transferred within two weeks after winner verification.
Do I keep my intellectual property?
Absolutely. You own your code. Partners may reach out for continued collaboration if you choose.
Can I build something non-financial but privacy-related?
Yes, as long as the end goal improves or enables private value transfer on Solana.
Will there be mentorship?
Yes. Office hours with WAYS engineers and partner experts run daily during the build week.
What if I miss the application window?
We cannot accept late sign-ups to keep judging fair. Follow @WaysCashApp for possible future cohorts.
Have a question not listed here? Email hello@ways.cash and we'll get back to you.