Time2Build will pay developers to add Bitcoin Lightning Network features to existing open-source apps, rewarding only code accepted by project maintainers.
News
Industry initiative Time2Build is paying developers to integrate the Breez Bitcoin Lightning Network software development kit (SDK) into existing open-source projects, aiming to drive lasting adoption rather than short-term experimentation.
According to a Tuesday announcement shared with Cointelegraph, the initiative is not a hackathon or a developer bounty. Instead, it pays developers for contributing to existing open-source projects and adding Bitcoin () features to them.
Only code accepted by project maintainers is rewarded, ensuring that Lightning Network features actually reach users. A representative told Cointelegraph that “eligible open-source projects must have a FOSS [free and open source] license, an active community and a real-world user base.”
“Focus is on lasting adoption, not demos or short-lived hacks,” the announcement said.
Breez partners for Time2Build include company Lightspark, behemoth Tether and Bitcoin education company Plan ₿ Network. The prize pool was funded by Breez and its partner companies, with DraperU and PlebLab also offering special residencies as additional prizes.
Related:
An open source Lightning Network SDK
According to the official , Breez API “provides developers with an end-to-end solution for integrating self-custodial Lightning into their apps and services.” In other words, it allows for integrating the Lightning Network with less hassle for the developers without ceding control over assets to a third party.
A Breez representative explained that the SDK is free and open source for any developer to use. It also allows for integration with the third-party Lightning Network service provider Spark, by initiative partner LightSpark.
The Lightning Network is a Bitcoin scalability solution that proponents have promised will return Bitcoin to its original purpose as a means of payment. It enables instant and nearly free trustless transactions offchain that can be settled onchain at a later time.
Recent analysis suggests that it is even technically .
According to 1ML , the Lightning Network is currently comprised of nearly 1,600 nodes (an increase of 1.7% over the last 30 days) and 43,561 payment channels. The network can process 3,869 BTC of transactions, equivalent to over $480 million.
Related:
Bitcoin Lightning Network gains traction
In recent times, Lightning Network has also shown some momentum in adoption by non-crypto actors. In late August, digital bank SoFi Technologies was reported to be moving to become the first US bank to and Universal Money Address, allowing Americans, Mexicans and others to send money through the Lightning Network.
In late April, global grocery giant . Still, more adoption is likely expected as the Lightning Network’s features expand beyond Bitcoin transactions.
In late January, the world’s top stablecoin issuer, to be bringing its USDt () stablecoin to the Lightning Network. In July, Graham Krizek, founder and CEO of Lightning Network payments provider Voltage, told Cointelegraph that increased adoption of the layer-2 network as early as 2028.
Magazine:
