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 more payments quickly and easily 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 united network in which all payment companies participate and is built for today’s consumers and businesses.

PayString is the Universal Payment Identifier

PayString creates a common protocol that allows for interoperability 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. This solution is built around people, 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 unites 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.

The PayString Hackathon is the first opportunity to build upon this vision.

On June 25, 2020, at the PayString Developer Conference, we will be kicking off the PayString Hackathon where we will be announcing prizes, judges, judging criteria, and submission requirements.

By attending the PayString Developer Conference, and participating in the PayString Hackathon, you will be the first group of open developers to build new apps that utilize the power of PayString on the open global payment network.

Eligibility

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”)
  • 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.

If a Team or Organization is entering the Hackathon, they must 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.


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, the Balkans, Belarus, Burma, Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and Zimbabwe 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
  • 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

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.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$26,000 in prizes

Grand Prize

$15,000 in XRP, Virtual Demo with Xpring Team at Ripple, Blog Post Featuring Project, AWS Credits

Second Place

$5,000 in XRP, Blog Post Featuring Project, AWS Credits

Third Place

$2,500 in XRP, Blog Post Featuring Project, AWS Credits

Honorable Mention (7)

$500 in XRP per honorable mention (up to 7)

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Ethan Beard

Ethan Beard
SVP at Xpring

David Schwartz

David Schwartz
CTO at Ripple

Judging Criteria

  • Quality
    How creative or original the app is.
  • Difficulty
    How well the app is executed.
  • Value
    How well the app reduces payment friction.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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