ETHBogota Hackathon's 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer Becomes Ethereum's Next Mainstream Narrative

2022.10.13

ETHBogota Hackathon's 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer Becomes Ethereum's Next Mainstream Narrative

Ethereum enters the post-merge era, where PoS successfully replaces PoW, and improving network scalability becomes the next priority.

2022.10.13 - 06:55:04

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Navigating Web3 tides with focused insights

Ethereum enters the post-merge era, where PoS successfully replaces PoW, and improving network scalability becomes the next priority.

Ethereum has entered the post-merge era, where PoS has successfully replaced PoW, and improving network scalability has become the next priority. Builders can now develop Web3 applications for billion-scale consumers on Ethereum, while technologies like L2 and ZK will further reduce usage costs, potentially enabling DApps to gradually replace various mainstream applications currently dominated by tech giants. At ETHBogota Hackathon, 12 projects were selected as representing the future direction of Ethereum's ecosystem development—R3PO believes these projects signal the dawn of a new phase. This momentum is not only driven by the activation of EIP-4844 but also accelerated by Layer 2 solutions such as Arbitrum, Optimism, zkSync, StarkNet, and Polygon. The winning projects span multiple categories including DApps, DeFi, NFTs, infrastructure, and social networks. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

Keyword cloud of the 12 winning projects Acquiring new users has become a shared consensus across the board! During the last bull market, various protocols thrived, yet Web3 applications remained in early development. In contrast, this round of projects shows builders increasingly focusing on how average users can access and participate. For example, Bet Streams—a pay-per-view livestreaming platform—uses Livepeer for video streaming and UMA as an oracle solution. This represents a mature Web3 tech stack in action, far beyond earlier pseudo-Web3 experiences like storing NFT metadata on-chain while keeping images off-chain. Another example is diZKreet, which combines ZK technology with NFTs, signaling that ZK tech is becoming more generalized and poised to unlock numerous new use cases in the next bull cycle. From an investment and project discovery perspective, the hackathon offers even deeper insights: for instance, what the future of DeFi might look like. Concepts like uncollateralized lending combined with DID and L2 have given rise to projects like PULP. R3PO believes that the next stage of technological and application stacking will be more foundational—components will serve as building blocks for each other, going beyond simple composability in DeFi—and ultra-high returns lie hidden within this evolution. **Below are detailed introductions to the selected projects:**

1. Frens

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/frens-5qq7h

Project Description

Frens is a DApp that enables friends to jointly stake ETH. By leveraging trust among friends, it aims to enhance the security of the Ethereum network. Currently, staking ETH is difficult, expensive, and risky, with rising centralization risks. Running an Ethereum validator requires significant technical knowledge and infrastructure, creating high barriers to entry. For individual stakers, 32 ETH is a substantial amount, and there's risk of loss if the validator is misconfigured. As a result, most people currently rely on centralized, non-custodial staking services (like Coinbase or Kraken), which introduces centralization risks to Ethereum itself. Frens aims to make staking fault-tolerant, rewarding, social, and fun. Users can easily and safely stake together in pools with their friends. It is built on: - Deposit smart contract factory - SSV’s DVT technology for fault-tolerant staking - Smooth UI for seamless setup and automation - Trust assumptions between (non-technical) friends and professional pool operators

How It Works

The journey begins with a pool operator—a technically knowledgeable, reputable individual willing to help friends stake. Using a one-click button on the Frens website, they create a “staking pool” smart contract. The site generates a shareable link so friends can deposit ETH toward forming a full validator. Only those with the link can contribute ETH to the pool. Clicking the link reveals a minimalist UI that simplifies the deposit process. Once 32 ETH is reached, the operator initiates the deposit machine on the Frens site: 1. Select 3 additional SSV operators (besides their own node) 2. Deposit ETH into the staking contract 3. Split the validator key 4. Register the validator (using SSV) Once the validator starts attesting, rewards accumulate in the pool’s smart contract. A portion of rewards goes to the pool operator to cover SSV token costs and operational fees. After withdrawals are enabled post-Shanghai upgrade, participants can withdraw their rewards. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

**NFT**: Each staker receives an NFT representing their share in the pool. If a staker leaves, they can sell their NFT to another participant (keeping the pool closed) or to a third party. The Frens website also provides each member with a status dashboard to monitor their pool’s statistics and health. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

**Permissionless**: The Frens website is a minimal DApp. It uses no database and communicates solely with on-chain resources, allowing fully decentralized hosting on IPFS. **Who Benefits?** - **Users (Friends)**: Enjoy a secure, fault-tolerant staking pool with higher APY than typical pools. They learn more about Ethereum from their operator friend. NFTs add influence and "social currency," encouraging broader participation in staking. - **Pool Operators**: Become heroes to their friends and build "SSV operator reputation," likely attracting more validators to their pool and increasing SSV token rewards. They earn fees exceeding operational costs. - **Ethereum Ecosystem**: Frens democratizes staking pool operations, further decentralizing staking. Their initiative contributes to a more secure chain.

How It Was Built

**Frontend & Backend** The frontend uses RainbowKit for easy wallet connection. TailwindCSS and DaisyUI were added for design. UX flows were split for two user types (operator and staker), resulting in two Next.js pages. Wagmi.sh hooks simplify interactions with deployed contracts. For the backend, Scaffold Eth was used as the development environment. All contract development, deployment, and testing occurred here. Hardhat mainnet fork was used to test the interface between staking pool contracts and beacon chain deposit contracts. After completion, the hardhat folder was imported into the WAGMI project for frontend integration. **Supporting Technologies** - **SSV Network**: Frens uses SSV to run validators for created staking pools. The operator selects three other operators from the SSV network, enforcing decentralization and fault tolerance at the validator level. - **ENS**: Frens displays operator information using ENS protocol. Operator avatars (exported via wagmi.sh) add a personal touch. - **WalletConnect**: Integrated for wallet connectivity. All pool participants must deposit some ETH to join. WalletConnect allows mobile wallet access, making it easier to invite new friends. - **Lens Protocol**: A button is implemented to follow the operator on lenster.xyz. Frens introduced the concept of a staking pool factory—not just creating one pool, but generating a new one per group, automatically minting NFTs for each participant, unlocking potential in DeFi, collateralization, and NFT trading. These NFTs act as tradable "securities" for decentralized staking pools. This design encourages many small staking pools instead of a few large ones, promoting greater decentralization.

2. Blobscan Explorer

Official link: https://www.blobscan.com/

Project Description

**EIP-4844 introduces a new transaction type to Ethereum that accepts data blobs stored temporarily in beacon nodes.** These blobs are ideal for storing rollup data required by platforms like Optimism, Aztec, and Scroll. Development tools for handling these new transactions are still nascent—especially the newly launched Blob explorer. With blobscan.com, users can navigate and visualize Blob data—searching by block number and hash, transaction hash, address, blob versioned hash, and blob KZG commitment. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

How It Was Built

The Blobscan system architecture includes: - Modified consensus and execution layer clients - A blockchain indexer saving data to a MongoDB database - A frontend enabling navigation with dedicated pages for blocks, transactions, addresses, and blobs Blobscan runs both an execution client (geth) and a consensus client (prysm), synchronized with the EIP-4844 devnet. More precisely, it uses a specific branch of the prysm repository that includes a new HTTP API to retrieve EIP-4844 sidecars (detachable data that will be pruned after a month). A custom daemon retrieves data from both the execution layer (EL) and consensus layer (CL), matches transactions (stored in EL) with their corresponding blobs (in CL), and indexes them in MongoDB. However, only final blocks are indexed, so ethers.js provider was extended to read finality data. https://blobscan.com provides a simple blockchain explorer frontend that reads from the database and enables intuitive navigation. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

3. Bet Stream

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/bet-streams-i90s7

Project Description

We were shocked during ETHBogota’s opening ceremony that all events were streamed via traditional Web2 stacks… So what if we created an app with native Web3 livestreaming experience? 🤔 Bet Streams allows event organizers to prepare, send notifications about various events, and offer pay-per-view live streams: major announcements, sports matches, travel challenges, or even Web3 hackathons! Users can easily join using familiar Web2 wallets and integrated platforms. They can also place bets on the outcome of the stream—such as final game scores, skateboard trick ratings, or hackathon winners—before or during the broadcast. Once results are revealed, winners receive proportional payouts from the pool. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

The platform is ideal for: - Live challenges (e.g., skateboarding tricks) - Pay-per-view sports events with outcome betting - Major Web3 events streamed via Bet Stream—(imagine live betting on Ethereum merge, Bitcoin halving, or ETHBogota finals) - Betting on outcomes of reality TV-style "social interactions" Here’s how betting works: Users bet whether an event outcome will be positive or negative—e.g., whether a challenge will succeed. If betting “yes,” they buy long tokens; if “no,” they buy short tokens—simple as that! After results, all short tokens are set to 0 value, and all long tokens are set to 1. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

How It Was Built

Superfluid powers the pay-per-use access model. We deployed our own mintable super token (MintableSuperToken) to control access to the video stream. LivePeer handles video streaming. When a user starts watching: - A new token stream begins - Connection to the video source is established - A notification is sent about the new viewer LivePeer (or any content provider) should verify the SuperFluid stream is active before sending content—we currently perform this check locally. UMA enables users to bet on livestream content. Push notifies users of upcoming streams and betting results. Coinbase Wallet acts as a perfect CEX ↔ BetStreams bridge. WalletConnect makes connecting to Web3 apps easy. Web3Auth delivers a seamless onboarding experience for new users. Pocket Network RPC handles node infrastructure. Optimism hosts UMA and SuperFluid contracts. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

4. ETHernal Review

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/ethernal-reviews-9kwmk

Project Description

ETHernal Review is a DApp rating platform. Only users who have interacted with a DApp can rate it. Users log in via ETH address, and only those with on-chain activity related to the DApp’s contract address can leave reviews—ensuring only genuine users provide ratings. Current Status - Users can currently view one sample project: the ENS protocol - Review database is centralized - Login via Ethereum address ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

Next Steps - Implement additional DApps (Aave, Uniswap, etc.) - Store ratings as NFTs on-chain (rating text stored on IPFS). Each review is minted to the user’s address, making it immutable. The frontend simply checks for minted NFTs. Consider Optimism or Polygon. - Login via Polygon ID

How It Was Built

The project uses Web3 Modal for website login. FastAPI and Vue were used for the frontend, with a Python backend. We chose ENS as a sample to demonstrate address validation—one method being scanning on-chain activity to verify reviewer eligibility.

5. PULP

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/pulp-bfx1i

Project Description

Applying for loans is slow, time-consuming, and paperwork-heavy. Many applicants have been denied due to discriminatory factors, often stemming from misuse of personal data. Digital self-sovereign identity allows users to verify their creditworthiness and credit score securely. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

How It Was Built

Solidity, JavaScript, and React provided the toolkit for front-end prototyping, testing, and deploying smart contracts. Figma was used for UX/UI design. PULP integrates verified self-sovereign identity using Polygon ID technology. Deployed across chains: Optimism, Gnosis Chain, Polygon. Enhanced wallet integration using MetaMask and WalletConnect. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

6. Superseed

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/superseed-sch5g ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

Project Description

Superseed is a DeFi DApp offering a streamlined solution: automating dollar-cost averaging (DCA) for cryptocurrency purchases while maximizing crypto income and incentivizing users to share profits for public good. We target users who hold and trade crypto but lack expertise in advanced strategies or time to actively manage DCA investments. Web3 enables agent maximization—we aim to empower users with agency to grow wealth and capture value in DeFi, while contributing to the growth of the Web3 ecosystem. We offer users multiple options: how much capital to allocate for DCA, over what timeframe, and purchase frequency. Users deposit the full monthly amount upfront to initiate the DCA cycle. All funds allocated for incremental purchases are pooled into liquidity mining, earning yield while waiting for DCA buys. Typically, idle capital loses value to inflation—but with Superseed, users earn interest on idle funds via AAVE until they’re ready for DCA positions. This provides an extra advantage users wouldn’t otherwise have. We use Superfluid to set up purchase streams because, despite full upfront deposits, it allows users to maintain liquidity and withdraw initial funds when needed. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

We believe true wealth-building includes community-building. At least 2% of user profits are automatically allocated to support Public Goods, Open Source projects, or a rotating Community Choice. **Superseed allows users to donate more—or even all—of their yield profits** if they choose. Our goal is not only to generate returns for users and causes but also to foster a community mindset around wealth growth and giving. Thus, we plan to integrate gamification at two levels: - **Investment**: Reward users for consistent DCA strategies with “Seed” tokens, collectible and combinable to evolve NFT art (seed → sprout → bloom). - **Donation**: Award “Donation” NFT badges displayed on profiles. In the future, users who consistently earn these badges may receive additional platform perks.

How It Was Built

When users log in to Superseed via wallet connection, they select their investment amount. Once ready, Superfluid continuously streams funds into their chosen asset using DCA. We use 1inch for token swaps but plan to integrate more DEX options (like CoW Swap) for better pricing. Remaining unstreamed capital is allocated to AAVE for yield. We’re also exploring APWINE and will offer more strategies based on investment duration and risk tolerance. To reward on-chain actions, we gamify the experience by airdropping dynamic NFT badges showcasing users’ DeFi journey—from seed to forest. NFT images and metadata are stored on IPFS. We use OpenZeppelin libraries to create NFT collections and leverage its ERC-20 interface. Smart contracts managing DCA strategies via Superfluid are deployed on Polygon mainnet. We use Pocket Network’s decentralized RPC nodes to communicate with Polygon. PUSH Protocol sends notifications about on-chain events—e.g., when balances are deployed for swaps on CoW Swap. To make the project multi-chain, we deployed on Gnosis testnet (which currently lacks yield protocols). We’ve implemented Superfluid and swaps via 1inch and will add yield products once available. During login, we resolve ENS names to display usernames and avatars, enhancing UX for both new and returning users. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

7. Coedia Network

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/coedia-network-tk4fu

Project Description

We built a decentralized social network where developers solve high-priority Web3 problems through a Help-and-Earn framework: customizable bounties, asynchronous rewards, and global reputation scoring—creating a participatory, competitive, and collaborative Web3 builder community. The community maintains and updates every solution. We built it to address developer burnout in enterprises, early developers stuck on advanced technical hurdles, and projects stalled by recurring issues. Ultimately, we aim to reduce the time and effort developers spend learning new skills, helping build a broader, stronger, and more united Web3 community. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

How It Was Built

Using Polygon blockchain, Lens Protocol API, IPFS/Filecoin, and MetaMask, we developed a UI displaying all interactive instructions, with issues minted as NFTs upon resolution. Each request (post) deploys an NFT. Developers solve issues and claim bounties as rewards, collectibles, or reputation points. MetaMask enables bounty claiming and asset management. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

**Supporting Technologies:** - **MetaMask**: Handles bounty claims and asset transfers - **Polygon Blockchain**: Hosts and processes all transactions and mints - **Lens Protocol API**: Enables focus on building a decentralized UI/UX - **IPFS/Filecoin**: Stores all creator content (video, audio, text) Have you done anything particularly remarkable? The Help-and-Earn framework fosters a participatory, competitive, and cooperative community. What impressed others about your project? Focusing on Web3 devs—a developer platform for developers.

8. Zipline

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/zipline-05w8k

Project Description

This project uses Optimism Cannon’s fraud-proof-based protocol to provably execute the Eth2 light client protocol on another EVM chain, enabling the target EVM chain to stay synchronized with Eth2 state. An off-chain relayer submits finalized blocks and sync committee updates. Updates include signatures from the current sync committee and proofs to derive the next committee. Instead of performing signature verification on-chain (which would be costly), it’s executed off-chain, with proof submitted on-chain. If the relayer commits fraud, any honest observer can challenge it during the dispute window. Once the challenge period ends, the update is assumed valid. This repeats every sync period (~27 hours) to keep the target chain synced with Eth2. Consumers can securely use Eth2 block roots to prove state or transaction inclusion—enabling trustless token bridges. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

How It Was Built

Eth2 light client code for signature and sync committee validation was adapted from Snowbridge Eth2 Substrate Bridge. The validation logic was compiled into MIPS instruction set to allow Optimism Cannon to prove execution traces. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

We also modified the Optimism Cannon codebase to function as a bridge rather than a rollup. It tracks pending Eth2 block hashes and finalized hashes after the challenge period. Unlike standard Optimism, the data required for provable execution isn't available on-chain. Contracts were updated to require the relayer to submit all necessary data for on-chain proof verification each cycle.

9. Anonymous Vickrey Auctions On Chain

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/anonymous-vickrey-auctions-on-chain-igh5e

Project Description

By leveraging CREATE2-based contract creation, users transfer ETH to a future contract address to hide their bids. On-chain bid submissions appear as simple ETH transfers to regular EOAs. During the reveal phase, bidders deploy contracts to their pre-funded addresses to disclose their bids. Unlike typical commit-and-reveal Vickrey auctions, it’s impossible to know which address actually bid in a given auction without relying on external off-chain data. Vickrey auctions are ideal for pricing non-fungible assets because game theory incentivizes honest bidding—participants bid exactly what they believe the asset is worth—leading to more optimal price discovery than first-price auctions. To prevent bid manipulation during the reveal phase, a snapshot of blockchain state is taken. Users submit Merkle Patricia Trie account balance proofs along with evidence that their bid existed prior to the reveal phase—all verified on-chain. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

How It Was Built

We designed custom smart contracts from scratch using Solidity, Huff, and Assembly. We adapted Merkle Patricia Trie proofs from Goldengate to verify account ownership at specific timestamps—entirely on-chain. Assembly-level optimizations reduced gas usage, and clever techniques accelerated MPT lookups on-chain. The entire process is automated and decentralized. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

**Supporting Technologies:** Inspired by OpenZeppelin templates, deployed on Gnosis Chain, Optimism, Ethereum, and Boba. Integrated ENS names and MetaMask login.

10. diZKreet

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/dizkreet-4rvz2

Project Description

Privacy has become one of the most critical aspects of Web3 development. It’s now clear that not everything on blockchain needs to be public and fully traceable. Aztec provides tools to ensure privacy on Ethereum. For this project, we created a ZK Rollup bridge enabling anonymous and private minting of NFT collections. Ethereum mainnet records that someone on Aztec bought an NFT, but no one knows who—until redemption on Ethereum. While the NFT remains locked in the rollup bridge contract, the owner holds a virtual ZK NFT. This ZK NFT can be privately traded and later redeemed on Ethereum via the rollup contract. Our ZK NFT shielded bridge is fully compatible with any ERC-721 NFT on Ethereum. Any NFT can now be privately purchased via diZKreet. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

How It Was Built

Built using Aztec ZK Rollup to create a custom ZK shielded bridge. Aztec ZK SDK was used to build a secure frontend. All NFT metadata and images are stored on IPFS via Web3.storage. Ethereum serves as the base layer securing digital assets. We used OpenZeppelin NFT contracts to create a secure and robust ZKunk NFT. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

11. ClubSpace

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/clubspace-cwzqx

Project Description

ClubSpace allows creators to host live music parties by importing their Spinamp playlists, setting promoted Decent NFTs, creating Lens posts, and configuring free NFTs for attendees who provide ZK proof of attendance. On the ClubSpace page, connected Lens accounts see each other’s avatars, listen to the playlist, and send responses via a p2p pub/sub network. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

How It Was Built

We use Lens for social login and party promotion. Streamr enables real-time interaction within ClubSpace. EPNS sends notifications to ClubSpace subscribers about new parties. A clever Next.js app ties everything together, with APIs for data processing and impression logging. Finally, Semaphore provides users with ZK proofs of attendance—submitting the proof earns them an NFT reward. ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

12. txn.xyz

Official link: https://ethglobal.com/showcase/txn-xyz-knbjw ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

Project Description

Instead of every DApp reinventing the wheel—loading ETH, learning transaction requests, and offering limited wallet support (often just MetaMask)—why not share a universal transaction page? This transaction page allows DApps to connect via any wallet and request any transaction—all powered by a clean URL encoding system, requiring no server or persistent state. Say hello to txn.xyz! ETHBogota Hackathon 12 Winning Projects: Building the Application Layer as Ethereum’s Next Mainstream Narrative

How It Was Built

Built with Next.js and TypeScript, supporting connections to Polygon, Optimism, and many other networks. Deployed via Vercel with no backend, minimizing downtime. You can even self-host your own instance since everything is open in the repo!

Conclusion

R3PO translated and compiled the 12 winning projects from the ETHBogota Hackathon. R3PO observed that these projects—backed by the crypto world—are increasingly focused on attracting new users into the Web3 rabbit hole. Though the bear market is long, it’s an ideal time for investors and builders to reflect and strengthen. Deep thinking today prepares us for the next wave of bullish momentum. We hope this inspires more reflection, helping everyone identify promising investment opportunities and entrepreneurial directions—let’s build the future of Web3 together!

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