IOTA has announced the launch of a new series of online hackathons, the IOTA MOVEATHON, designed to explore the new possibilities brought by its upcoming protocol upgrade. This initiative, set to run throughout 2025, marks the beginning of what the organization calls its "year of building." The first event is scheduled from March to June 2025, culminating in a live final event in Singapore. Participants will have the opportunity to compete for a total prize pool of $150,000.
As one of the longest-standing distributed ledger technologies globally, IOTA is on the verge of its most significant upgrade. The protocol is being reconstructed using the Move programming language, transforming it into a powerful new system that integrates innovative concepts from across the DLT space. Among the exciting features and capabilities being introduced are:
- Full decentralization through over 150 validator nodes
- The ability to process more than 50,000 transactions per second
- Sub-second finality confirmation times
- Native staking functionality with annual yields of up to 15%
- The first dual smart contract ecosystem supporting both MoveVM and EVM
Guided by the IOTA Foundation in Berlin, Germany, IOTA continues its tradition of real-world applicability, collaborating with institutions such as the World Economic Forum, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, and various governments. Now, IOTA is poised to usher in a new era for its ecosystem and the broader Web3 landscape.
Deep Dive into the IOTA MOVEATHON
To explore the new potential of the upgraded protocol, the IOTA MOVEATHON series will invite developers from around the world to turn their ideas into reality and build innovative solutions for specific focus areas. If you are a Web3 developer excited about the rich possibilities of the Move language on IOTA, this hackathon is for you.
Key Dates and Locations
- Registration begins: March 3, 2025
Exclusive Discord server launch (for eligible participants): April 7, 2025
- Discord will serve as the central hub for the MOVEATHON
- Code freeze: May 4, 2025
- Winners announced: May 23, 2025
- Live final event (Singapore): June 6, 2025
Prize Structure
The total prize pool is $150,000, distributed as follows:
Overall winners (selected by an experienced panel of judges):
- First place: $35,000
- Second place: $25,000
- Third place: $15,000
Track rankings:
- First place in each track: $8,000
- Second place in each track: $5,000
- Third place in each track: $2,000
- Additional mission winners: $15,000 in total
The Four Competition Tracks
🏦 Payments & Consumer Apps – Shaping the future of transactions
- Reimagine payments and consumer applications in a decentralized world using IOTA's Move VM.
- This track is for developers passionate about creating seamless, user-friendly systems, from micro-payments to global remittances.
🌍 Real-World Applications – Bringing Web3 into daily life
- Transform physical assets into digital representations through tokenization and digital twins.
- This track targets developers looking to leverage IOTA's advanced capabilities to bring real-world data and assets on-chain.
💸 DeF(A)i – Innovating in decentralized finance
- Explore the future of decentralized finance enhanced by artificial intelligence.
- This track invites developers to use AI to power DeFi applications and create next-generation decentralized apps.
🛠 Tools & Infrastructure – Building the foundations for innovation
- Create the necessary infrastructure for a fairer, more decentralized future.
- This track is for developers and teams eager to build the foundational technologies of tomorrow.
Getting Involved and Next Steps
The IOTA MOVEATHON represents a significant opportunity for developers to engage with cutting-edge technology and contribute to the evolution of distributed systems. Whether you're interested in finance, real-world assets, or core infrastructure, there's a place for innovation.
Participants are encouraged to register early and join the dedicated Discord community to collaborate, share ideas, and get support throughout the development process. The live final in Singapore will also offer networking opportunities with industry leaders and potential investors.
👉 Explore advanced blockchain development tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the IOTA MOVEATHON?
The primary goal is to foster innovation and development on the upgraded IOTA protocol. It encourages developers to build practical solutions across key areas like payments, real-world assets, DeFi, and infrastructure, using Move and EVM smart contracts.
Who can participate in this hackathon?
The event is open to Web3 developers, software engineers, and tech enthusiasts worldwide. Individuals and teams with ideas for decentralized applications or infrastructure projects are welcome to join.
How does the judging process work?
Projects will be evaluated by an experienced panel based on criteria like innovation, technical execution, usability, and potential impact. Winners will be selected for overall excellence and within each specific track.
What support is available for participants?
Participants gain access to a dedicated Discord server for collaboration, technical resources, and mentorship from the IOTA community and foundation experts throughout the event.
Are there any specific technical requirements?
Projects must be built to utilize IOTA's new capabilities, including its MoveVM and EVM support. Detailed technical guidelines and documentation will be provided upon registration and via the official Discord channel.
What happens after the hackathon?
Winning projects may receive further support, potential funding opportunities, and visibility within the IOTA ecosystem and broader Web3 industry to help transition from prototype to production.