Hackathon Terms & Conditions

3. When and How to Enter the Hakathon.

3.1 For the EasyA Consensus Hackathon, CoinDesk will accept applicants until February 7, 2025, Pacific Daylight Time. (UTC -7). Submit applications via the developer application form on the Consensus Hackathon website.

3.2 Each participating person or team (“Entrant”), must complete and submit an application that complies with all the terms of these Official Rules.

3.3 Approved Entrants will be notified via email, and will receive a complimentary pass to the Consensus Conference.

4. Location of Competition

4.1 The Hackathon is expected to be presented by CoinDesk at the Consensus Hong Kong 2025 Conference in Hong Kong, China during February 18-20, 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. However, CoinDesk has sole discretion to determine the final location and dates of the Hackathon and determine whether the Hackathon is held in person or as a virtual event. CoinDesk will provide information to Entrants about the timing and format of the Hackathon and Judging as soon as reasonably practical in advance of the Hackathon.

5. Selection of Winners.
Judges and Judging Criteria

5.1 Representations and Warranties.
The judges for the Hackathon (the “Judges”) will be a diverse group of experienced technologists, investors, academics and/or industry experts with experience and expertise in evaluating innovative Projects in the crypto and Web 3 domains, as solely determined and selected by CoinDesk. Each Judge is required to recuse themselves from judging any Entrant with whom there is a personal or business relationship, including but not limited to as employees, directors, officers, advisors, investors, or family members.

5.2 There are 2 phases of judging. First, Entrants will show their Projects to the Judges at their judging table (this is an informal opportunity to show code to the Judges). Second, top projects will then be selected by the Judges as Finalists to present formally to everyone on stage (“Finalists”).

5.3 All Projects must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to be a Finalist:

• Be built using one of the Consensus Hackathon Sponsor ecosystem technologies
• Be open source (and remain available as open source)
• Include a short summary (less than 150 characters)
• Include a full description (the problems it solves, how Consensus Hackathon Sponsor ecosystem's technology was used to achieve it, etc.)
• Include a technical description (what SDKs were used, etc.)
• Include a link to the slides describing your project (slides are required as part of the submission process and should include a slide on your team, the problem, solution, etc).

5.4 Finalists and Winners will be selected based on the Judges’ assessment of the following equally-weighted criteria:

5.4.1 Execution: Is the Project usable in its current state? Is the user experience smooth? Does everything appear to work? Is it well designed?

5.4.2 Usefulness: Is the idea practical? Is it something people would actually use?

5.4.3 Learning: Did the individual or team stretch themselves and push the boundaries of learning in this space?

5.4.4 Deployment: Was the project successfully deployed on testnet/mainnet?

Finalists

5.5 After the second day of the Hackathon, Judges will select Finalists designated as eligible to showcase their Project to a panel of judges for the privilege of being designated an EasyA Consensus Hackathon champion (collectively the “Winner(s)”). The Winner(s) will be highlighted on the Consensus website and in social media in accordance with these Official Rules and CoinDesk’s Privacy Policy.

Additional Finalist and Winner Terms and Conditions

5.6 Entrant may enter into business relationships with potential investors, funders, or protocols, including Consensus Hackathon Sponsors, at any time and at Entrant’s sole discretion. However, if Entrant enters into a business relationship with a Consensus Hackathon Sponsor or begins discussions to enter into a business relationship, Entrant is required to notify CoinDesk that a relationship with the Sponsor exists, as required in Section 2.1. No such business relationship is required in order to participate in the Hackathon or be selected as a Finalist.

5.7 Winners may not substitute, barter, transfer or assign any prize or opportunities, to the extent that any such items are available.

5.8 Entrant agrees that the decisions of the Judges are final and binding.

6. Expenses. Entrants are solely responsible for any expenses incurred to participate in the Hackathon, including but not limited to any travel costs, accommodations, developer costs, etc.. CoinDesk and the Judges will have no responsibility for any Entrant’s costs and expenses related to the Hackathon. Entrants also are solely responsible for any taxes, tariffs or other applicable governmental charges from any federal, state or local authority that may be due as a result of any winnings or obtaining any opportunities as a result of the Hackathon. All Entrants should seek independent advice regarding tax and other liabilities associated with any prize that may be available or receiving other benefits as a result of the Hackathon.

7. Notifying the Winners.CoinDesk will notify the Winners by email, using the email address provided in the application. If a Winner does not respond and provide the required confirmations within three (3) days of notification, is found ineligible, or does not comply with these Official Rules, such Entry may be disqualified by CoinDesk, in its sole discretion, and the Judges will select a replacement Winner(s).

8. Hackathon Entry Restrictions. A Hackathon Entry will not:

8.1 Infringe or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of any third party, including copyrights, moral rights, patents, trademarks, design rights, trade secrets and rights of publicity;

8.2 Disclose or rely upon the confidential or proprietary information of a third party without appropriate written permission;

8.3 Contain libelous, defamatory, disparaging or unlawful content;

8.4 Invade the privacy or right of publicity rights of any person (living or deceased), or otherwise infringe upon a third party’s personal or proprietary rights;

8.5 Violate any laws or regulations;

8.6 Include sexually explicit subject matter;

8.7 Depict or inspire violence, weapons or dangerous stunts;

8.8 Depict discrimination, bigotry, harm or hatred;

8.9 Depict or inspire tobacco or illicit drug usage;

8.10 Promote activities that are illegal in the Entrant’s home country;

8.11 Promote any political agenda; or

8.12 Reflect negatively on the goodwill of CoinDesk, Consensus, Consensus Hackathon Sponsors, EasyA or any overall Consensus Sponsors.

9. The above list is not exhaustive. CoinDesk may disqualify any Entry if the Entry includes content that CoinDesk, in its sole discretion, deems unsuitable for this Competition. CoinDesk may reject or disqualify any Entry at any time, in its sole discretion, without incurring any liability.

10. Confidentiality. CoinDesk may disclose or otherwise transfer personal information that we collect to third party event sponsors and partners to contact you, which may include marketing their products and services to you.

11. Representations. Each Entrant represents and warrants that:

11.1 It meets the Eligibility Requirements listed in Section 1;

11.2 Its Entry is wholly original, factually accurate to the best of Entrant’s knowledge, and is Entrant’s own creation;

11.3 The individuals acting on Entrant’s behalf in connection with the Competition have the authority to do so; and

11.4 It is the sole owner of all rights relating to its Entry, or has obtained all necessary rights, including all copyrights, moral rights, patents, trademarks, design rights, trade secrets, rights of publicity, and other relevant intellectual property rights for access to and use of the Entry by CoinDesk, Judges in connection with the Competition or otherwise as contemplated in these Official Rules.

12. Indemnification. Each Entrant agrees to indemnify and hold CoinDesk harmless from any and all liability resulting from or arising from CoinDesk’s use of any Entry.

13. Publicity

13.1 Each Entrant irrevocably agrees that, if it is identified as a Finalist, its Project name and a non-confidential description of its Entry may be publicized in whole or in part, or not at all, on CoinDesk’s website and through other marketing channels worldwide. Publicity may be done by CoinDesk or a third party authorized by CoinDesk, including its Consensus Hackathon Sponsors, Hackathon Partners and vendors. In addition, Entrant will identify one (1) or more representatives to represent Entrant in the Hackathon Finals, and Entrant hereby confirms that its representative(s) irrevocably agrees to allow CoinDesk and anyone authorized by it to use each such individual’s name, likeness, voice, image, photo or video, including statements made by such representative(s) (collectively, the “Materials”), worldwide for any purpose and in any manner in connection with the Hackathon, Consensus, or future Hackathons or in furtherance of CoinDesk’s mission, without compensation, notice or further consent.

13.2 Examples of uses of the Materials include (i) public streaming of the Hackathon Finals including Entrant pitches; (ii) internet-based distribution/promotion, including social media; (iii) marketing or promotional purposes, including future activities or events; (iv) media distribution; and (v) archival purposes.

13.3 Entrant and its representative(s) agree that any right to inspect or approve the uses of the Materials have been waived, and Entrant and its representatives have no claim to any compensation arising out of the use of the Materials.

13.4 Entrant and its representative(s) further agree to release CoinDesk, its employees, agents, the Hackathon Partner and all associated entities and agree not to sue or bring any proceeding against any of the same for any claim arising out of the use of the Materials, or any claims of ownership in the Materials.

13.5 Entrant and its representative(s) understand that this Agreement does not represent an obligation or commitment by CoinDesk to use any Materials, or take any authorized action.

13.6 Entrant and its representative(s) hereby grant CoinDesk or vendors to record and edit any portions of the Hackathon, whether held in person or virtually, and to use and publish such Materials.

13.7 If an applicant is advanced to present their Project onstage at Consensus (‘Finalists at EasyA Consensus Hackathon 2024”), they will be asked to execute an Events Authorization and Release Agreement which covers images, recordings, trademarks, etc.

14. General Terms and Conditions

14.1 Rules. Entrants agree that CoinDesk has the sole right to establish and change the Official Rules and the operation of the Hackathon or award of prizes at any time and without notice or liability.

14.2 Hackathon Changes. CoinDesk reserves the right to cancel, change or suspend this Hackathon for any reason, including cheating, technology failure, catastrophe, epidemics or pandemics, war or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that affects the integrity of the Hackathon. If the integrity of the Contest cannot be restored, CoinDesk may but is not required to select winners from among all eligible Entries received before CoinDesk canceled, changed or suspended the Hackathon.

14.3 Entry Disclaimers. CoinDesk will not be responsible or liable for any incomplete upload of any Entry, and/or for any misdirected or invalid Entries due to transmission errors or corrupted data files, including without limitation, interruption or inability to access CoinDesk’s website, problems with internet connectivity, firewalls, virus protection software or hardware devices, and/or Entries that are late, destroyed, lost, stolen, misdirected, tampered with, incomplete, deleted, or not in compliance with these Official Rules.

14.4 Use of Entry. No Entries will be returned to Entrants. Except as expressly provided in these Official Rules, Entrant retains all rights to its Entry. Subject to the confidentiality obligations in these Official Rules, Entrant hereby grants CoinDesk, and anyone authorized by CoinDesk, including the Hackathon Partner, a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty free, transferable, sublicensable, perpetual and irrevocable license to copy, display, perform, distribute, create derivative works and otherwise use its Entry for any purpose related to the Hackathon, Consensus, or any other CoinDesk-related purpose. Entrant further acknowledges and agrees that Judges and the Hackathon Partner will have access to and may retain copies of its Entry.

14.5 Privacy. Except as expressly provided in these Official Rules, this Hackathon is governed by CoinDesk’s Privacy Policy. In the event CoinDesk provides any personal information of Entrants to a Hackathon Sponsor, Hackathon Sponsor’s use of such information shall be governed by its Privacy Policy.

14.6 Void Where Prohibited. Notwithstanding the list of Eligible Countries, if this Hackathon is deemed unlawful in any country, all entries from such country will be void, as determined by CoinDesk.

14.7 Damage or Disruption. Any attempt to deliberately damage the Hackathon website, defraud CoinDesk or Judges, or tamper with or undermine the legitimate operations of the Hackathon or CoinDesk may be a violation of civil and/or criminal laws, and responsible persons may be prosecuted or sued to the full extent permitted by law and will not be eligible for a prize or to be a Winner.

14.8 Liability Waiver and Release. Entrant agrees that CoinDesk, Judges, the Hackathon Partner and anyone acting on behalf of CoinDesk or the Hackathon in any way (“Released Parties”) will have no responsibility or liability (including, but not limited to, liability for any property loss, damage, personal injury or death, as well as claims based on publicity rights, defamation, and/or invasion of privacy) in connection with this Hackathon, including participation or the acceptance, receipt, possession, misuse, nonuse or use of any prize or opportunity (or portion thereof); or any damage to Entrant’s (or any third person’s) computer and/or its contents related to or resulting from any part of Hackathon; even if caused by the negligence of the Released Parties. Entrant acknowledges that the Released Parties have wide access to ideas and that new ideas are frequently submitted to them or are being developed by their employees, including ideas that may be competitive with Entrant’s business. Entrant agrees that it will not be entitled to any compensation as a result of any Released Entity’s use of material that is similar or identical to its Entry. Entrant hereby waives all rights to claim irreparable injury, equitable relief, direct, indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages, attorney fees or any damages other than actual out-of-pocket costs incurred to enter the Hackathon. In no event will the Released Parties’ aggregate liability under these Official Rules or in any way in connection with the Hackathon exceed U.S. $100. Entrants agree to release all rights to bring any claim, action, or proceeding against the Released Parties.

14.9 Choice of Law. These Official Rules will be interpreted under the laws of the state of New York, U.S., and controlling U.S. federal law. Choice of law rules of any jurisdiction and the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods will not apply to any dispute under these Official Rules.

14.10 Dispute Resolution. If an Entrant has any dispute regarding the Hackathon, Entrant must first give CoinDesk an opportunity to resolve the dispute by sending a written description of the dispute to CoinDesk. CoinDesk and Entrant will negotiate Entrant’s dispute in good faith. If the dispute is not resolved within sixty (60) days after CoinDesk acknowledges receipt of Entrant’s description of its dispute, Entrant may pursue arbitration as described below.

14.11 Binding Arbitration. Except as provided below and to the extent permitted by law, CoinDesk and Entrant (each a “Party” and together the “Parties”) agree that any dispute relating to the Hackathon that are not resolved by the dispute resolution process above may be resolved by binding arbitration to be held in the county of New York in accordance with the Commercial Rules then in effect of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The Parties will mutually agree on a single arbitrator. If the Parties cannot mutually agree, the arbitrator will be appointed by the AAA. The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator will be final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s decision in any court of competent jurisdiction. The Party that does not prevail will pay all of the costs and expenses of such arbitration, and each Party will separately pay its respective counsel fees and expenses. The arbitrator will not have the power to award damages in excess of the limitation on actual compensatory, direct damages listed in these Official Rules and may not multiply actual damages or award punitive damages or any other damages that are specifically excluded under these Official Rules, and each Party hereby irrevocably waives any claim to such damages.

14.12 List of Winners. For a list of Finalists and Winners, please contact us at events@CoinDesk.com