BREAKING: Cronos has just launched the x402 PayTech Hackathon, a global initiative offering $42,000 in prizes aimed at revolutionizing AI-powered blockchain payments. Developers from around the world are urged to participate in this urgent challenge, which opens today on DoraHacks.
This hackathon focuses on building innovative tools and applications using agent-based payment technology and the Crypto.com AI Agent SDK, leveraging the latest enhancements in the Cronos and Crypto.com ecosystem. With recent upgrades resulting in a tenfold reduction in gas fees and a 400% increase in daily transaction volume, Cronos now stands out as a premier platform for developing high-performance, AI-native applications.
Participants will have the opportunity to create automated transaction flows, smart wallet behaviors powered by AI, and integrations for real-world assets. “This hackathon is a testing ground for what happens when AI agents can not only process data but also move value,” stated Mirko Zhao, Head of Cronos Labs. He emphasized that the recent upgrades and new frameworks provide developers with essential tools needed to bring AI-native applications to life.
The build phase of the hackathon will run from early December through late January, allowing ample time for teams to innovate and experiment. Developers will gain exclusive access to workshops, live office hours, technical documentation, and a comprehensive resource library covering everything from the Cronos EVM to x402’s programmable payments.
Top-performing teams may also be selected for additional support, including grants, incubation, and collaboration opportunities within the vast Cronos ecosystem, which is backed by over 500 contributing developers and partners. As a rapidly growing blockchain platform, Cronos serves more than 150 million users globally, focusing on making tokenized assets more accessible and scalable.
The Cronos ecosystem features three networks:
1. Cronos EVM: An Ethereum-compatible chain built with the Cosmos SDK
2. Cronos POS: A Cosmos-based network optimized for payments and NFTs
3. Cronos zkEVM: A high-speed Ethereum Layer 2 secured by zero-knowledge proofs.
With over $6 billion in user assets and more than 100 million transactions processed, Cronos is among the top 15 blockchain ecosystems globally. Transaction fees on the network are facilitated using its native token, $CRO.
As teams gear up to participate in this exciting hackathon, the potential for real-world impact through AI-driven finance is immense. Stay tuned for updates on the innovations that emerge from the x402 PayTech Hackathon, as developers work to bridge traditional finance with decentralized protocols, possibly reaching millions of users worldwide.
For more details and registration, visit cronos.org or follow @cronos_chain on X. This is a pivotal moment for developers eager to make their mark in the rapidly evolving world of blockchain technology and AI. Don’t miss out on this chance to shape the future!
