Bitcoin is the most important open source project in the world, and it’s still unfinished.
That’s not a slogan. It’s a reality. There’s core protocol work to do, infrastructure to harden, privacy to improve, tooling to expand, and a long tail of projects that make Bitcoin easier to use and harder to break. The ecosystem needs more builders, and it needs them to show up consistently.
For developers, the opportunity is obvious. The hard part is getting a clean on-ramp.
You can be smart, motivated, and technically capable and still struggle with the same questions.
Where do I start?
What do I study first?
How do I go from learning to contributing?
How do I earn trust in a high standards open source environment?
To help address that gap, TabConf is participating in the 2026 ₿OSS (Bitcoin Open Source Software) Challenge, a Chaincode Labs program designed to support developers who want to begin contributing to Bitcoin open source in a structured way.
TabConf is the longest-running Bitcoin developer conference, focused on the technical side of Bitcoin and the builders shipping the software and infrastructure behind it.
By joining the ₿OSS Challenge as a supporting cohort, TabConf is helping route more developers into the contributor pipeline through community, mentorship, and a year-round builder network that leads all the way to meeting in person and building in the open at TabConf.
A Structured Path into Bitcoin Open Source
The ₿OSS Challenge is a three-month program for developers serious about starting a career in Bitcoin open source development.
Month 1 is the foundation. It’s a guided, hands-on sprint through programming exercises and learning material, with active ₿OSS contributors in the mix and plenty of async support. The expectation is clear. Plan for a minimum of 10 hours per week.
Months 2 and 3 are where the work deepens. The program shifts into partner programming, seminars, and clearer contribution paths. Standout participants may also get access to additional opportunities.
Who it’s For
This is for developers who are ready to put in the work.
It’s fully online, free to join, and designed for all experience levels, but it’s built for a self-starter mindset. After the first week, there are no scheduled calls. The program is async, self-directed, and structured to mirror what open source actually demands.
If you’ve been waiting for a serious path into Bitcoin open source, this is one of the best on-ramps available.
Proof it Works
The program has a track record. Alumni from prior cohorts have gone on to be funded by organizations like Spiral, OpenSats, Brink, Maelstrom, ₿trust, Blockstream, and the BDK Foundation.
Participants have contributed across the ecosystem, including Bitcoin Core, LDK, PayJoin, Core Lightning, Silent Payments, Rust Bitcoin, FROST, and more.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Applications are open now and close on December 31, 2025. The cohort kicks off the week of January 12th.
How to Apply
Learn more and apply at TabConf x Boss Challenge 2026.
If you want to stay plugged into the builder pipeline and the broader developer community, TabConf 8 in Atlanta is where a lot of these paths converge.
Bitcoin is unfinished, and that’s exactly what the 2026 ₿OSS Challenge is designed to solve. If you’re a developer who’s been waiting for the right moment to get involved, this is it.
