Bitcoin Founders Get a Global Stage: CypherTank Competition Launches
Plan B Network and Plan B VC Fund have jointly announced CypherTank, a Bitcoin-only pitch competition that will be held during the Plan B Forum in Lugano. The contest offers total prizes exceeding $850,000, aiming to spotlight the most innovative Bitcoin projects and establish Lugano as a premier global Bitcoin hub. Giacomo Zucco, Director of Plan B Network, said: “CypherTank is designed to give Bitcoin founders not only capital, but a global stage. By recording real negotiations, scoring pitches, and sharing episodes online, we’re amplifying innovation and drawing attention to Lugano as a Bitcoin hub.”
Prize Structure and Competition Categories
Eleven carefully selected projects – eight for-profit and three nonprofit – will compete across multiple categories, including on-chain Bitcoin technology, Lightning Network applications, peer-to-peer innovations, and solutions for emerging markets. For-profit winners will share a $450,000 pre-authorized investment via a capped SAFE from the Plan B VC Fund, along with $200,000 in incubation and acceleration services at the Lugano Plan B Hub. Nonprofit projects will compete in categories spanning human rights protection, scientific breakthroughs, and Lugano Bitcoin-Citadel initiatives. The winning nonprofits will share a $200,000 non-dilutive grant from the Plan B Foundation, with potential additional grants from judges.
Impressive Judge Lineup and Schedule
The competition features a stellar panel of judges, including Paolo Ardoino (Tether), Adam Back (Blockstream), Matt Odell (Ten31), Mike Jarmuz (Lightning Ventures), and Preston Pysh (Ego Death). These experts will evaluate projects across multiple rounds. Semifinals are scheduled for October 22, 2025, and the finals on October 27, 2025. CypherTank is the first Bitcoin-only pitch series that will film real founder–investor negotiations, combine them with judge panel scoring, and distribute the episodes globally. Episodes will be released across YouTube, Rumble, and X by the end of 2025.
Application Details and Global Impact
Applications are now open for both for-profit startups and nonprofit projects. The initiative represents a significant step in Bitcoin’s evolution, offering not just funding but also a platform for showcasing innovation in the Bitcoin space. The competition’s structure, combining investment opportunities with global visibility, positions it as a potential catalyst for the next wave of Bitcoin development and adoption. Interested founders can visit the official application portal for more information and to submit their proposals.