- Published on
Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom
- Authors
- Name
- OpenSats
- Name
- Gigi
- @dergigi
From the beginning, the OpenSats mission has been to provide a sustainable ecosystem of funding for developing free and open-source software, especially software that makes bitcoin flourish.
To strengthen that ecosystem, we are funding multiple organizations with the intention of helping make the overall funding landscape even more robust than it is today. We believe that funding open-source infrastructure is of the utmost importance for a free and prosperous society.
While our aim is to drive progress across the ecosystem, we recognize that sustainable growth requires a network of specialized organizations and foundations necessary to ensure horizontal scaling and a robust ecosystem. Sustainable scaling requires local, targeted, and specialized support. No single organization can or should fund everything.
One of our goals for this epoch is to encourage the creation of OpenSats-like organizations, whether to focus on specific domains, enable tax-deductible donations in new jurisdictions, or provide regional and local support. As a first step towards that goal we are delighted to announce support for multiple organizations that embody this vision, namely:
Let's take a closer look at each of these organizations to understand how they align with our mission and how they help us achieve said goal.
2140
2140 is a European non-profit organization committed to the long-term security, resilience, and maintainability of the Bitcoin network. Based in Amsterdam, it provides full-time employment for experienced contributors and structured fellowship programs for newcomers, ensuring sustainable growth in open-source Bitcoin development. 2140 enables developers to focus on multi-year initiatives that strengthen the ecosystem. The Amsterdam office fosters in-person collaboration, creating a supportive environment for contributors to build lasting careers in Bitcoin.
Looking forward, 2140 aims to expand its impact by attracting new funding sources, including European business partnerships and public goods grants. The organization seeks to establish a replicable model for supporting open-source Bitcoin development, ensuring that the technical knowledge base continues to grow. Through mentorship, structured career paths, and long-term project support, 2140 is working to make full-time Bitcoin development both viable and sustainable.
OpenCash
OpenCash is a Swiss non-profit organization dedicated to the research and development of free and open-source electronic cash systems that support censorship-resistant financial services built on Bitcoin. At the core of its mission is the Cashu protocol, a Chaumian ecash system that enables private and secure transactions backed by sats. Cashu enables projects to build privacy-centric financial tools providing secure alternatives to surveillance-based financial systems.
To further its goals, OpenCash focuses on four key areas: refining the Cashu protocol to enhance privacy and expand its capabilities, developing decentralized infrastructure that enables individuals and communities to run their own mints, supporting user-friendly applications that can function in low connectivity environments, and fostering a growing developer community through grants, research, and educational initiatives. These efforts aim to establish ecash as a practical and scalable tool for Bitcoin users seeking greater privacy and security in their financial transactions.
Bitshala
Bitshala is a grassroots education initiative focused on training the next generation of open-source Bitcoin and Lightning developers in India. The initiative provides structured guidance, study cohorts, and community-driven mentorship to help developers navigate Bitcoin's multidisciplinary landscape. Since its launch in January 2023, Bitshala has built a thriving community, hosting study clubs, reading groups, and review sessions covering Bitcoin Core and Lightning development. All educational materials are open-source and freely accessible, allowing developers worldwide to replicate and adapt Bitshala's model.
Looking ahead, Bitshala plans to scale its operations by increasing the frequency of study cohorts, expanding weekly study clubs, and offering more fellowship opportunities to developers, designers, and educators in the Bitcoin space. With its growing community and a dedicated co-working space in Bangalore, Bitshala aims to strengthen its network of Bitcoin contributors while refining its open-source education model for broader adoption.
Summer of Bitcoin
Summer of Bitcoin is a global internship program that introduces university students to open-source Bitcoin development and design. Since 2021, the program has provided students with mentorship, hands-on experience, and earning stipends paid in bitcoin, helping them contribute to real-world projects across the Bitcoin ecosystem. Over 40,000 students from 74 countries have applied, with 218 interns contributing to over 60 open-source Bitcoin projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. Many alumni have gone on to work as engineers, designers, and educators at Bitcoin organizations such as Alby, Bitshala, Block, and Blockstream.
To further its impact, Summer of Bitcoin aims to expand its reach by engaging additional mentors, increasing project opportunities, and strengthening collaboration with Bitcoin open-source organizations. The program will continue to refine its structured learning process by offering a technical bootcamp, guided project contributions, and direct mentorship from experienced developers. Through stronger industry ties, Summer of Bitcoin can equip a greater number of students with the skills needed to transition into full-time roles in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Bitcoin Dev Launchpad
Bitcoin Dev Launchpad is a 40-week program by Vinteum that trains developers in Bitcoin open-source development using a structured three-phase approach. It starts with a 4-week Socratic seminar on Mastering Bitcoin featuring coding challenges and interviews, followed by a 12-week phase focused on technical training, open-source collaboration, and PR reviews. The final 6-month fellowship offers mentorship and financial support to top performers transitioning into full-time contributors. The curriculum primarily targets Bitcoin Core and the Lightning Network, while also introducing BDK and Fedimint, and includes hands-on hackathons at Casa21, Vinteum's hacker house in São Paulo, Brazil.
As the program evolves, Bitcoin Dev Launchpad continues to refine its curriculum and arranges participation at developer events such as the recent bitcoin++ in Florianópolis, Brazil held earlier this year. The program aims to lower barriers for new contributors and strengthen Bitcoin's open-source ecosystem, cultivating a new generation of developers who can help drive critical Bitcoin infrastructure projects forward.
Foundation Formation Kit
The Foundation Formation Kit (FFK) is a project by the Open Source Justice Foundation (OSJF) that helps open-source communities establish tax-exempt foundations. Securing IRS tax-exempt status is complex, time-consuming, and costly, often requiring legal counsel. Historically, this structure has been accessible mainly to large, well-funded projects. FFK simplifies the process with structured templates, including corporate bylaws and IRS 1023 application forms, with clear step-by-step instructions. By lowering barriers to foundation formation, it enables open-source projects to secure funding and distribute funds without additional legal costs or tax liabilities. Making tax-exempt foundations more accessible strengthens the open-source ecosystem's financial and legal infrastructure, encouraging sustainable development and broad participation.
FFK is expanding its efforts with an interactive Foundation Formation Wizard, a web-based tool that auto-generates legal documents. A Filing Fee Fund will help cover incorporation and IRS filing costs. Educational initiatives, including seminars, will encourage adoption. Future milestones include extending legal templates to activist and human rights groups, supporting jurisdictions beyond the United States, and integrating with fundraising platforms like Geyser and OSJF's nostr-native initiative, Fundsolvr.
As we move forward, we are excited about the potential of collaborating with others to empower more organizations and initiatives that align with our mission. By providing the necessary resources, guidance, and support, we aim to facilitate the launch of projects that contribute to the sustainability and growth of open-source software. Together, we can create a vibrant ecosystem where innovative ideas can thrive and make a lasting impact on freedom tech.
If you are considering launching an organization that shares our vision for a decentralized and empowered future, we encourage you to reach out to us. We are eager to connect with like-minded individuals and groups who are passionate about fostering collaboration and driving progress. Your initiative could be the next step in building a robust network of support that ensures the continued flourishing of free and open-source projects. Let's work together to make a difference!