BNB Chain and YZi Labs Host Hackathon in Abu Dhabi with $160k in Prizes

BNB Chain, in collaboration with YZi Labs, is set to host a hybrid hackathon in Abu Dhabi from December 5-6, 2025. This event aims to gather top developers, innovators, and entrepreneurs from the UAE to compete for a share of $160,000 in prizes, according to the BNB Chain blog. The hackathon is part of the BNB Hack Local Series, designed to spark innovation in the Web3 space.

Pre-Hackathon Sessions

Before the main event, BNB Chain is organizing online sessions from November 24-27, 2025. These sessions will cover various topics, including regional impacts on UAE industries such as luxury, tourism, real estate, and finance. Participants will have the opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders and refine their project ideas before the hackathon begins.

Hackathon Schedule and Details

The hackathon will commence on December 5 with an opening ceremony, followed by panel discussions and the start of the hacking phase. The event will conclude on December 6 with final submissions, project demos, and the announcement of winners. Participants can expect to engage with mentors and partners, enhancing their projects and networking within the Web3 community.

Prize Structure and Tracks

The hackathon offers financial and ecosystem support, with the first-place winner receiving $5,000 USD and additional support through the Kickstart Ecosystem Support, MVB program interviews, and potential investment from the $1B Builder Fund. Participants can choose from eight innovation tracks, including trading, RWA, AI, DeSci, DeFi, payments, wallets, and regional impact projects tailored to UAE priorities.

Judging and Resources

Submissions will be evaluated based on design, usability, scalability, innovation, and integration. Participants are encouraged to demonstrate open-source contributions and community engagement to improve their chances of winning. BNB Chain provides a toolkit with resources and tutorials to assist developers in preparing for the hackathon.

Global Builder Network

The BNB Hack event is more than a competition; it is an entry point into a global network of builders. The event aims to discover and accelerate early-stage projects with the potential to become significant contributions to the Web3 ecosystem.

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