Payments Should Be Easier
Today, we can instantly send a photo, message or video to billions of people and businesses around the world from a phone, laptop or even through smart-homes. Yet, simple and fast payments are still not possible. Unlike email and text SMS, where there is a single network for the entire world, the payments infrastructure consists of hundreds of isolated networks that don’t speak to each other. Imagine how many fewer text messages would each send if messages couldn’t be sent between mobile providers. If sending a payment were as seamless as sending an email, we would all send payments more quickly, easily, and cheaply around the world.
Tomorrow’s Payment Network Will Be Open
In the near future, a single, global payment network will enable anyone to easily pay any other person or business instantly. Everyone, everywhere will tap into the power of this network dozens of times a day, sending payments both large and small. Payments won’t run over fragmented networks using proprietary standards to complicated account numbers, but rather, will use a universal network-of-networks in which all payment companies participate and is built for the digital age.
PayString is the Universal Payment Identifier
PayString is an open protocol that allows for seamless addressing between payment networks. PayString is a free and open standard, allowing for truly organic growth where no single company can control or set the terms for joining. PayString is built around individual identity, replacing complex account numbers with simple names that are easy to understand, remember, and even type.
Backed by industry leaders from technology and finance, PayString is just the beginning of the open global payment network. It works across any payment network or currency—be it fiat or digital. A payment network that connects everyone around the globe is incredibly valuable for every participant. An open network built on open standards and open source enables innovation and growth for everyone. Just like the creation and widespread adoption of the internet and mobile phones, PayString drives payments forward, simplifying global payments for all and bringing us one step closer to a world where money moves as easily as information.
BlockSprint is an Annual Hackathon hosted by Ripple and the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies
The University College London (UCL) Centre for Blockchain Technologies was founded in 2016 to research the effects of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) and Blockchain into socio-economic systems and to promote the safe and organic development and adoption of Blockchain-based platforms. The centre is the nucleus for DLT and Blockchain research and engagement across eight different departments at UCL and for its Research and Industry Associate network. UCL's Research and Industry Associate community consists of over 180 researchers and practitioners from UCL, other academic institutions and companies utilizing DLT.
The PayString BlockSprint Hackathon is an Early Opportunity to Build Upon the Vision for an Internet of Value
On September 25, 2020, we will be kicking off the PayString BlockSprint Hackathon where we will be announcing prizes, judging criteria, and submission requirements.
By participating in the PayString BlockSprint Hackathon, you will be among the first group of open developers to build new apps that utilize the power of PayString on an open global payment network, better known as the Internet of Value.
Eligibility
A. The Hackathon IS open to:
Individuals who are at least the age of majority where they reside as of the time of entry (“Eligible Individuals”) (*NOTE: The age of majority is the threshold of adulthood as recognized or declared by law. Most countries set the age of majority at 18 including the US, UK, Germany https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_majority).
Teams of Eligible Individuals (“Teams”) with at least one Eligible Individual enrolled in a University Blockchain Research Institute (UBRI) affiliated school or partner school.
Organizations (including corporations, not-for-profit corporations and other nonprofit organizations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other legal entities) that exist and have been organized or incorporated at the time of entry.
(the above are collectively, “Makers”)
An Eligible Individual may join more than one Team, or Organization and an Eligible Individual who is part of a Team or Organization may also enter the Hackathon on an individual basis, such that they are an Eligible Individual enrolled in a University Blockchain Research Institute (UBRI) affiliated school or partner school.
If a Team or Organization is entering the Hackathon, they must have at least one Eligible Individual enrolled in a University Blockchain Research Institute (UBRI) affiliated school or partner school, and appoint and authorize one individual (the “Representative”) to represent, act, and enter a Submission, on their behalf. The Representative must meet the eligibility requirements above. By entering a Submission on the Site on behalf of a Team or Organization you represent and warrant that you are the Representative authorized to act on behalf of your Team or Organization.
B. The Hackathon IS NOT open to:
- Individuals who are residents of, or Organizations domiciled in, Brazil, Quebec, or any country, state, province or territory where the laws of the United States or local law prohibits participating or receiving a prize in the Hackathon (including, but not limited to, Crimea, Cuba, Sudan, Iran, North Korea, Syria and any other country designated by the United States Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control)
- Any Judge (defined below), or company or individual that employs a Judge
- Organizations involved with the design, production, paid promotion, execution, or distribution of the Hackathon
- Employees, representatives and agents** of such organizations, and all members of their immediate family or household*
- Any other individual involved with the design, production, promotion, execution, or distribution of the Hackathon, and each member of their immediate family or household*
- Any Judge (defined below), or company or individual that employs a Judge
- Any parent company or subsidiary of any organization described above
- Any other individual or organization whose participation in the Hackathon would create, in the sole discretion of the Poster and/or Administrator, a real or apparent conflict of interest
*The members of an individual’s immediate family include the individual’s spouse, children and stepchildren, parents and stepparents, and siblings and stepsiblings. The members of an individual’s household include any other person that shares the same residence as the individual for at least three (3) months out of the year.
**Agents include individuals or organizations that in creating a Submission to the Hackathon, are acting on behalf of, and at the direction of, an Organization involved with the design, production, paid promotion, execution or distribution of the Hackathon through a contractual or similar relationship.
Requirements
Makers must do the following to participate in the Hackathon:
- Register for the Hackathon on the Hackathon Website by clicking the “Register for this Hackathon” button. To complete registration, sign up to create a Devpost account, or log in with an existing Devpost account. There is no charge for creating a Devpost account. This will enable you to receive important updates and access the “Enter a Submission” page.
- Visit https://payid.org to access the tools.
- Build (or update) software using PayString that reduces friction for payments.
- Software must include XRP as an optional currency.
- Include a link to a functional application on the web or in an app store, or
- Include a link to a test build or APK for mobile applications.
- Include a link to your solution code on GitHub or any other code repository sharing method. Your code repository may be public or private. If your repository is private, access must be shared with contactxpring@ripple.com and stated in the testing instructions provided with your submission. Code will be used only for solution review and testing. Include a method to run the application in a testing environment and production environment.
- Create a video that includes footage that clearly explains your application’s features and functionality through a comprehensive demonstration.
- Complete and enter all of the required fields on the “Enter a Submission” page of the Hackathon Website (each a “Submission”) during the Hackathon Submission Period, and follow the requirements below.
See "rules" for more detail.
Prizes
$25,000 in prizes
Grand Prize
$15,000 in XRP
Second Place
$5,000 in XRP
Third Place
$2,500 in XRP
Honorable Mention
(5)
$500 in XRP each (5)
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges

TBA
Judging Criteria
-
Quality
How creative or original is the app? -
Execution
How well is the app executed? -
Value
How useful is the app? -
Impact
How well does the app impact society?
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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