Btrust Builders

This week we kicked off the first live cohort of the Mastering Bitcoin program, bringing together participants, faculty, and the Btrust team for the start of a deep dive into how Bitcoin actually works. Over the course of the week, participants explored the foundations of Bitcoin through the opening chapters of Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas M. Antonopoulos. The discussions started with understanding Bitcoin not just as digital money, but as a system made up of several technologies working together. The group unpacked how Bitcoin enables value to move across the internet without relying on centralized intermediaries, and how the network itself is built around open protocols that anyone can run and verify. From there, conversations moved into the mechanics of how the system operates. The group unpacked key components of the Bitcoin ecosystem, including wallets, cryptographic keys, transactions, the peer-to-peer network, and miners. To make these ideas more concrete, participants also walked through the lifecycle of a Bitcoin transaction, from creation in a wallet, to broadcast across the network, validation by nodes, and eventual inclusion in the blockchain. Over the next few weeks, participants will continue building their understanding step by step, moving from these first principles toward the deeper technical layers of the protocol.

Bitcoin’s open‑source ecosystem only thrives when contributors are supported not just to learn, but to stay, grow, and lead. In 2026, we’re evolving Btrust Builders into a scaled, high‑quality contributor pipeline designed for long‑term impact. This year’s program builds directly on the insights from our 2025 Builders experience, with clearer structure, stronger systems, and a deeper commitment to sustained open‑source contribution. The 2026 Builders journey is designed as one continuous path. Developers enter through open applications or via the BOSS challenge, move through structured learning pathways, accelerate through a selective Open Source Fellowship, and progress toward grants, long‑term contribution, and ecosystem roles. What makes Builders 2026 different is our focus on durable outcomes. We care about retention as much as graduation. We care about whether developers are still contributing six to twelve months later. And we care deeply about creating a program that is sustainable for both participants and faculty. This year includes multiple entry points, clearly defined pathways, an always‑on Resource Hub, a ten‑week Open Source Fellowship, and a calendar that creates a steady rhythm of learning, contribution, and outcomes throughout the year. If you’re a developer interested in contributing to Bitcoin open‑source, or someone exploring what that journey looks like, we invite you to learn more. Read the full blog to understand the 2026 program design, explore the Builders Pathways, check out the 2026 program calendar and apply to join this year’s cohorts: https://blog.btrust.tech/introducing-the-2026-btrust-buil… If you’re not ready to apply yet, the Builders Resource Hub (https://pathways.btrust.tech/resource-hub) is always available and designed to help you start learning and making your first contributions.

In 2025, we took a major step forward in strengthening Africa’s Bitcoin developer pipeline through the Btrust Builders program. 🚀 Over the course of the year, 493 developers across Africa and beyond were supported through Builders pathways, selected from 1,800+ applications, a 180% increase from the previous year. Developers joined from 15+ countries, spanning West, East, Central, and Southern Africa, with additional participation from South America, Europe, and South Asia. We evolved from a single‑cohort program into a continuous, modular learning pipeline, supporting developers at different stages; from first exposure to Bitcoin, through hands-on technical learning, and into real open‑source contributions. In 2025, we delivered: • Foundational learning through Mastering Bitcoin • Hands‑on technical practice via Bitcoin from the Command Line • Protocol‑level development in Rust for Bitcoiners • Programming fundamentals through Language Clubs (Python & C++) • Advanced open‑source onboarding through Start Your Career in BOSS To bridge learning and contribution, we also launched our first Open Source Bootcamp. Over four weeks, 38 developers from 7 countries submitted 103 code contributions, opened 50+ pull requests, and saw 12 PRs merged, including 3 to Bitcoin Core. The impact went well beyond training. Several Builders alumni transitioned into fully funded open‑source work, supported by @Btrust and @HRF, contributing to projects like Bitcoin Core, LDK Node, BlueWallet, Bitcoin Dev Kit, and Rust‑Payjoin. Others went on to start their own Bitcoin projects, applying what they learned to build new tools and infrastructure in the ecosystem. We also launched the Builders Resource Hub, which has since been widely shared across the Bitcoin developer ecosystem as a go‑to learning library for open‑source contribution, tooling, and deep technical study. Check it out here: https://pathways.btrust.tech/resource-hub In recognition of this work, the @African Bitcoiners team named Btrust Builders the 2025 African Bitcoin Project of the Year at the 2025 @Africa Bitcoin Conference. All this was made possible by the dedication of faculty and chaperones, many of whom are alumni themselves; mentors who gave their time, experience, and patience; and the core Builders team, including Stephanie Titcombe, the program lead, and Kelvin Isievwore, the engineering lead, who carried the vision from design through delivery. Just as importantly, the wider Builders community, learners, alumni, contributors, and supporters, shaped the culture that made collaboration, accountability, and growth possible.🧡 We’ve shared what worked, what we learned, and how Builders has grown into a long‑term contributor pipeline helping decentralize Bitcoin development. ➡️ Read the full blog for more: https://blog.btrust.tech/strengthening-africas-bitcoin-de…