Hey, devs!Dust off your keyboards and get ready to start building on the OG blockchain with this new hackathon by Rootstock.If you’re looking for a new challenge, this event is for you! In this article, we provide an overview of this hackathon and invite you to come build with us and contribute to the Bitcoin builders’ ecosystem.But first, what’s Rootstock?Rootstock is the first, biggest, and longest-lasting Bitcoin sidechain. It is also the only Bitcoin layer 2 that combines the security of Bitcoin's proof-of-work with Ethereum's smart contract capabilities.Rootstock is designed to expand the functionality of the Bitcoin blockchain and address limitations its such as slow transaction speed and high fees. it makes it possible to develop and deploy smart contracts on Bitcoin using an advanced version of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) known as the Rootstock Virtual Machine (RVM).Rootstock is permissionless, and its consensus mechanism is merge-mined proof of work (PoW) with over 60% of Bitcoin's hash power currently mining Rootstock.The open-source nature of Rootstock, its EVM compatibility, and robust security make it a gateway to a vibrant ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps) that continues to evolve toward full trustlessness. Bitcoin Meets Solidity - A Hackathon by RootstockThe Bitcoin Meets Solidity hackathon is a 3-week online event run by Rootstock and TAIKAI that challenges developers to build on top of Rootstock and push the boundaries of what's possible in the Bitcoin blockchain.Kicking off May 15th, this hackathon is your chance to build on top of Bitcoin with Rootstock. Whether it’s creating new dApps, developing infrastructure solutions, or exploring cross-chain interoperability, you can contribute to the ecosystem's growth!Why join?The hackathon isn’t just an opportunity to make a buck, it's about learning, networking, innovating, and making a difference in the world of decentralized finance and digital currency. Rootstock contributors will be running workshops to empower participants with practical skills, insights, and hands-on experience in leveraging the Rootstock sidechain for building robust DeFi solutions. These workshops will cover topics ranging from smart contract development and security best practices to interoperability with other blockchain networks and integrating innovative features like decentralized identity and Oracle services.Who is this hackathon for?If you’re curious about building on top of Bitcoin, this is your chance to do it - especially considering you can use solidity!Bitcoin hackathons bring together enthusiasts, developers, entrepreneurs, and experts from diverse backgrounds, and are designed for anyone passionate about making a significant impact in the decentralized finance and digital currency spaces.Registration and timelineParticipation is free and every builder is invited to build and contribute to the growth of Bitcoin! To join, simply head over to TAIKAI and fill out the registration form.The hacking phase starts on May 15th and runs until June 9th, according to the following timeline:🧑💻 Hackathon kickoff: May 15th📬 Project submission deadline: June 9th📣 Winners announcement: June 14th🏆 Prize distribution: June 16thPrizesThe Bitcoin Meets Solidity Hackathon will offer prizes for the top three teams and additional bounties for specific challenges, with a total prize pool of $17,000 paid in rBTC.Main hackathon prizes:🥇 place will receive $7,000 paid in rBTC🥈 place will receive $4,000 paid in rBTC🥉 place will receive $1,000 paid in rBTCBounty tracks:💰 Documentation – 5x prizes of $500 paid in rBTC💰 Security on Rootstock – 5x prizes of $500 paid in rBTCRootstock Grants Program:🤝 All hackathon participants will be eligible to apply for the Rootstock Grants Program, which offers $25,000 in grants.What’s rBTC, you ask? rBTC is the native token of Rootstock, pegged 1:1 with BTC, and is used to pay for the execution of transactions in Rootstock. There are multiple ways to get RBTC, you’ll find them all in this comprehensive list.Registrations are openRegister now and let’s start building on Bitcoin!📨 Join the Bitcoin Meets Solidity Hackathon