Introducing the 2026 Btrust Builders Program
Building a scalable, high‑quality pipeline for Bitcoin open‑source contributors
Building a scalable, high‑quality pipeline for Bitcoin open‑source contributors
Written by Jamal Errakibi This article is a written version of my talk “Why Rust Is Becoming Essential in Bitcoin,” which I gave during the 2025 Btrust Developer Day. If you prefer watching instead of reading, you can watch the talk linked here. Rust has been voted the most loved
In 2025, hundreds of developers across Africa took their first steps into Bitcoin’s open‑source ecosystem, learning how it works, how to contribute to it, and how to build sustainable careers around it. The Btrust Builders program was designed to move developers from curiosity, to capability, to contribution. This
A practical guide for building and sustaining Bitcoin-only technical communities across the Global South.
Global, December 31, 2025 - At Btrust, we know that growing the Bitcoin open-source developer ecosystem starts with creating gateways; spaces where curious builders can connect, learn, experiment, and ultimately take their first steps toward meaningful contribution. These gateways often take the form of events: technical meetups, grassroots workshops, hackathons,
At Btrust, we’ve been fortunate to support developers whose work strengthens the foundations of Bitcoin. Today, we celebrate the journey of Duncan Dean, who joined us as a long-term grantee in April 2024 and whose time with us concluded in August 2025. His contributions extended well beyond code. Over
Africa, December 12, 2025 — We’re excited to recognize six outstanding Bitcoin open-source developers awarded Btrust grants, including four starter grant recipients and two open-source cohort members. Starter Grants The Btrust Starter Grant provides support for software engineers ready to contribute full-time to open-source Bitcoin development. It allows recipients to
Applications are ongoing for the 2026 ₿OSS (Bitcoin Open-Source Software) Challenge, kicking off January 12, 2026.
Written by Rita Anene For over three years, I've worked as a software developer, building features and solving problems in the familiar rhythm of a 9-to-5 job. But something was missing. I wanted to work on technology that wasn't just functional, but foundational, something that could
Leadership transitions mark important moments in any organization’s journey, and today, we’re excited to share one of our own. In July, we put out a call for a Chief Executive Officer. After receiving multiple strong applications and going through a long, thoughtful, and rigorous selection process, we’re
In the world of Bitcoin development, talent is everywhere. Yet, for many developers in the Global South, especially across Africa, reaching the highest levels of contribution isn’t just about skill or dedication—it’s about access. Opportunities to meet global collaborators, speak at conferences, and work alongside seasoned peers
Africa, October 14, 2025 — We’re excited to recognize six outstanding Bitcoin open-source developers awarded Btrust grants, including four starter grant recipients and two open-source cohort members. The four starter grant recipients are all graduates of the 2025 Btrust Builders pathways. The program offers structured tracks that cover everything from
Btrust Grantee Spotlight
Written by Itoro Ukpong This story details my transition from an enterprise software engineer to a full-time Bitcoin open-source developer. It covers my journey through blockchain exploration, the Btrust programs, and the key steps that enabled me to secure a grant for open-source work, offering insights for others interested in
Behind every successful Btrust Builders cohort is a team of dedicated faculty members who go above and beyond to shape the learning journey. This year, our faculty were a monumental part of our courses, from developing the curriculum to walking side by side with participants through our various pathways. What
Btrust Builders
We are excited to announce the successful completion of the 2025 Btrust Builders’ Q2 Pathways. This was an initiative designed to equip developers with the core skills needed to contribute to open-source Bitcoin projects. The quarter’s programs placed a strong emphasis on technical depth, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving. Developers
Btrust Builders
E-Cash for Commerce: How Cashu empowers merchants via Bitcoin
Btrust
We are excited to share that Btrust is once again partnering with the Africa Bitcoin Conference (ABC) to present the 2025 Btrust Developer Day. This year’s event will take place on December 2, 2025, at the Trianon Convention Centre in Port Louis, Mauritius, and will serve as the official
Btrust
Lagos, Nigeria – 17th July 2025 We’re excited to share that we’re partnering with the Open Source Community Africa (OSCA) to sponsor the 4th edition of the Open Source Community Africa Festival (OSCAFEST). This partnership represents our shared commitment to fostering development, innovation, and inclusion in open-source ecosystems. About
Btrust Builders
A few months ago, our team started discussing a common challenge: While many Builders Pathways graduates had the technical skills, stepping into the world of Bitcoin open source seemed intimidating. We realized firsthand knowledge wasn’t always enough; real contribution often felt out of reach for those new to open-source
Btrust
Africa, July 2, 2025 — We are excited to present the recipients of our Q2 Starter Grants and welcome returning members to the Btrust Open-Source Cohort. This quarter, three engineers have been awarded the Btrust Starter Grant, empowering them to work full-time on open-source Bitcoin projects and deepen their impact on
Btrust Builders
Understanding BIP340 Schnorr Signature Verification
News
$1M+ awarded across 10 initiatives in the first round of 2025 Btrust grants, powering Bitcoin open-source development in the Global South.
News
The first cohorts of the Builders Pathways have officially completed their programs. Over the past two months, developers from across Africa participated in the Mastering Bitcoin and Learn Bitcoin from the Command Line pathways, each designed to strengthen technical skills, build a deep understanding of Bitcoin, and prepare developers for
Btrust Grantee Spotlight
Written by Abdullahi Yunus In this article, I’ll share my journey—from discovering Bitcoin to becoming a Btrust Builder and eventually a Btrust grantee. I’ll walk you through how it all started, how it’s going, and what I hope to achieve in the future. Professional Background Before