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"BitHack" Hackathon by Coinbase

87 points| irunbackwards | 12 years ago |blog.coinbase.com | reply

39 comments

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[+] Robin_Message|12 years ago|reply
From the rules:

> Coinbase must be the sole bitcoin payment method included in the app.

So, is it a hackathon to make something cool with bitcoin, or to make something cool with Coinbase?

Anything anyone does to make bitcoin bigger, better, and more mainstream, will benefit Coinbase in the long run. So it might be a bit short-sighted to restrict this unless there is a really good reason.

[+] hngiszmo|12 years ago|reply
So they put 18k USD on the top 3 applicants that provide their closed source, coinbase only solution? They already got attention worth more than that by having us read the terms and coditions. Why not do something cool and respected. I have no problem with the coinbase API having to be used but the exclusiveness is so anti bitcoin spirit.
[+] irunbackwards|12 years ago|reply
I think it's to encourage adoption of their API offerings. However, there's nothing stopping a developer from abstracting their payment method so that they can implement a BitPay or bitcoind integration later.
[+] chazandchaz|12 years ago|reply
"All materials submitted in connection with this Contest will not be returned. By participating, you agree to be bound by these Rules including all eligibility requirements. Participants acknowledge and agree that all entry materials submitted in connection with this competition are submitted on a non-confidential basis and may be used by Coinbase, its agents, subsidiaries, and related companies, for advertising and promotional purposes. Coinbase reserves all rights, including the right to edit, publish, use, adapt, and modify proper names, likenesses, and photographs for advertising and promotional purposes in all media (including, but not limited to, the internet) without additional compensation, expect where prohibited by law." -http://bithackathon.com/terms.html

This seems like a pretty brilliant way to get tons of apps for only 18k

[+] snarkyturtle|12 years ago|reply
I like the part where they say they reserve the right to edit and modify names, likenesses and photographs. Basically they could take your product and say that their internal team made it if they wanted to.
[+] enra|12 years ago|reply

   "for advertising and promotional purposes"
Basically you give the right to Coinbase to mention or showcase the app somewhere, similar to the App Store.

The terms also state this:

   "Grant of License: All Contest submissions shall 
    remain the property of the submitting Participant."
[+] xcyu|12 years ago|reply
"expect where prohibited by law"
[+] ck2|12 years ago|reply
Why would you award a US dollar amount of bitcoin?

The point is to adopt bitcoin as it's own entity.

Awards should be 10, 5, and 3 bitcoin.

Or if you like big numbers call it 10 million satoshi, 5 million satoshi, 3 million satoshi ?

[+] nickkthequick|12 years ago|reply
Probably they want to appeal more to people that are a slightly outside the bitcoin realm. They would be less likely to have coinbase accounts and they would get some bonus user acquisition while they're at it.
[+] dwaltrip|12 years ago|reply
You can't go from "not yet invented" to "stable, widely accepted decentralized currency" overnight. There will be intermediate steps. Pegging to USD amounts is an extremely sensible intermediate step. And honestly, bitcoin's success doesn't even depend on people pricing things in it.
[+] jval|12 years ago|reply
I agree. Awards should definitely be in BTC... seems like a vote of no confidence in your own product otherwise.
[+] aoxfordca|12 years ago|reply
Hey all,

I'm a student who is looking to join a team for the [BitHack Hackathon](http://bithackathon.com/) - are any groups out there looking for someone to help with team coordination, app testing, user experience, etc.? My background is not technical in nature, but I've found that I always find a way to contribute in hackathons. I'm not in it for the money (although that does sound very nice) as much as I am for the notoriety.

Get at me!

My previous hackathon experience includes:

● Atlanta Govathon (2013) Finalist: Created a web app which scrapes local and state government websites to centralize public hearing and election information

● Hack for Cystic Fibrosis (2013) Finalist: Created a mobile responsive web app called Track*d which helps CF patients track, visualize, and broadcast medical compliance

● Random Hacks of Kindness (2013) Participant: Created a simple gradebook app for the Peace Corps which can be easily modified to reflect the language of a host country

[+] durkie|12 years ago|reply
Hey -- I might be interested. And I'm in Atlanta. Let's talk!
[+] mhluongo|12 years ago|reply
Interested, and also in Atlanta. Email is handler @ gmail.
[+] siculars|12 years ago|reply
Aside... I use Coinbase. But am I the only one concerned they built a transactional system on top of MongoDB?
[+] elwell|12 years ago|reply
Hmm, I didn't know it was on MongoDB. Their site looks so pretty I was deceived into trusting them with my bitcoins (or fractions thereof).
[+] owenversteeg|12 years ago|reply
Nope. I'm very concerned. That said, I don't use Coinbase (I use blockchain.info for storage.)
[+] kolev|12 years ago|reply
I've had issues with them before. They blamed it on getting out of sync with the blockchain, but it made no sense as your purchase cannot suddenly disappear due to that.
[+] dmix|12 years ago|reply
Hackathons with cash prizes need to die. It's no longer a "hackathon" when money is involved. It's an app building contest with cash prizes.
[+] archerabi|12 years ago|reply
I am interested in working with someone for this hackathon. I don't have an idea myself. I am a developer from NY/NJ. I have experience developing web and mobile apps. email me at archerabi at gmail.com
[+] ashraful|12 years ago|reply
I am interested in participating in this hackathon too. I'm primarily a designer and was looking for a developer to team up with. I'll email you.
[+] yfj211|12 years ago|reply
Hey I'm also interested in chatting about teaming up. Email me at my handle at gmail. Nodejs developer based in manhattan
[+] Cynddl|12 years ago|reply
"No 24h time limit. No pain. Yes, with $18,000 in prizes.."

A bitcoin hackathon with prizes in dollar? Even if the winners are rewarded in bitcoin, it's still weird.

[+] hngiszmo|12 years ago|reply
It's not. It mitigates their risk of bitcoin skyrocketing and it mitigates your risk of bitcoin crashing while you develop. But I'm glad to less and less hear this critic whenever shops offer stuff in bitcoin priced in USD.
[+] pkinsky|12 years ago|reply
It makes sense. The payoffs are going to show up on Coinbase's balance sheet in USD, and they don't want to commit to buying $X BTC if the market changes.

On the flip side, if BTC crashes, this is good for participants.