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Largest Ethereum Hackathon Set to Truly Embrace Blockchain Tech, Not Only Promote It

From February 15 to 17, Denver will host the world’s largest Ethereum-based hackathon. This time, every aspect of this event will be based on the blockchain technology.

"The largest Ethereum-based hackathon is gearing up for its second annual run in Denver, Colorado– and this time, nearly every aspect of the event will make use of blockchain technology." • We can't wait! Learn more about all of the ways we're utilizing blockchain at #ETHDenver: https://t.co/KwlO5FCRIb

— ETHDenver (@EthereumDenver) January 30, 2019

ETHDenver is the largest Ethereum-based hackathon for Ethereum enthusiasts and developers. The event lasts 36 hours and includes talks and workshops given by top blockchain influencers and Ethereum experts. The aim of the event is to contribute to the Ethereum ecosystem, whether by building decentralized applications (dApps), contributing to or starting infrastructure level projects, writing documentation/tutorials/white-papers, designing UI/UX, or infographics.

Unlike other blockchain conferences, ETHDenver does not just promote or criticize blockchain. This event is absolutely based on it, as every aspect will make use of blockchain. The distributed ledger technology will be used while submitting projects, judging and voting on them.

When applying to attend the conference, guests will also use blockchain. Applications are based on interest in Ethereum and the demonstrated ability to code or meaningfully contribute to a project. The entrance is free when an attendant is approved. If not, applicants can stake some amount of Ether to make reviewing their applications faster. The Ether will be released when the participant checks into the event.

According to the team behind the event, the payment system used by the conference will also be backed by blockchain. The organizers explained:

“Every attendee will receive their own unique web wallet that will be pre-loaded with a local coin called buffiDai, which is pegged to the Dai, and will be used to drive the ETHDenver economy.”

The payment platform was created in partnership with many outstanding blockchain startups, among which are MakerDAO, Status, POA Network, Solidcoin, SendWyre, and Quantstamp.

Richard Brown, head of community development for MakerDAO, commented on the collaboration:

“Status wallet will support the buffiDai token for attendees who are looking for a more secure way of holding their localcoin. POA Network helped ensure we had a fast and secure blockchain to power the system … Quantstamp happily jumped in to audit our contracts.”

Last year, the so-called “Colorado Coin” was used by attendees to pay for food, beverages, and activities. BuffiDai coin will have the same role this time. The coin is described as the way to create “the first, real-world, large-scale, ephemeral crypto-economy,” and will be launched at ETHDenver.

BuffiDai tokens, priced at 1USD, will be held in the xDai wallet, a new wallet created by Austin Griffith, Director of Research at Ethereum bounties platform Gitcoin. The wallet has been developed for easy and quick use and can be run directly in your phone’s native web browser, without installing any special app. After onboarding via scanning a single QR code, participants will be able to pay for food, drinks, etc.

The organizers said:

“As soon as the web page loads, people can walk right up to a food truck, scan a code from a menu, and walk away with a hot dog.”

The purpose of the event is to show that blockchain is easy to use.

Richard Brown said:

“This project is all about ease-of-use. We’re trying to solve the [user experience] issue many people have when trying to engage with crypto for the first time. This whole experiment is predicated on finding a balance between security and convenience.”

Last year, 1,500 people participated the ETHDenver hackathon. This year, 2,000 people are expected to come.

John Paller, Executive Steward of ETHDenver, explained:

“I think the reason for that is we’re a developer-facing event, not an investor-facing event.”

The organizers have also revealed the topics to which the event will be devoted. Among them are the society and systems, going mainstream, business and capital 3.0, as well as developer tools.

Largest Ethereum Hackathon Set to Truly Embrace Blockchain Tech, Not Only Promote It

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