Time2Build, an industry-wide initiative, has announced a new program to pay developers for integrating the Breez Bitcoin Lightning Network SDK into existing open-source projects, emphasizing long-term adoption over temporary prototypes.
Developers to earn rewards for accepted Lightning code
Unlike a typical hackathon or bounty, the Time2Build initiative compensates developers only for code that is accepted by open-source project maintainers, ensuring that Lightning Network functionality is actually deployed and used.
According to the announcement, only projects with an active community, a free and open-source software (FOSS) license, and a real-world user base qualify.
Focus is on lasting adoption, not demos or short-lived hacks, the announcement stated.
The initiative is backed by Breez, with support from Lightspark, Tether, and Plan ₿ Network, while DraperU and PlebLab are offering special residencies as additional prizes. The prize pool is funded by Breez and its partner companies.
Breez SDK simplifies Lightning integration
The Breez API and SDK provide developers with an end-to-end toolkit for embedding self-custodial Lightning functionality into their apps and services. This enables developers to integrate Bitcoin payments without relying on third-party custodians, while still maintaining seamless connectivity with Lightning service providers such as Spark, operated by partner company LightSpark.
The Lightning Network, designed to enhance Bitcoin’s scalability, allows for instant, low-cost, and trustless offchain payments that can later be settled onchain. Advocates argue that it restores Bitcoin’s original purpose as a peer-to-peer payment system.
As of this month, 1ML data shows the Lightning Network includes nearly 1,600 active nodes, 43,561 payment channels, and supports around 3,869 BTC (worth over $480 million) in transaction capacity.
Lightning Network adoption expands beyond crypto
The Lightning Network has been gaining traction outside the crypto sector as well. In August, SoFi Technologies became the first U.S. bank to announce plans to leverage the Bitcoin network and Universal Money Address, enabling cross-border payments between the U.S., Mexico, and other regions.
In April, grocery chain Spar launched Lightning-based Bitcoin payments in a Swiss city. And in January, Tether revealed plans to bring its USDT stablecoin to the Lightning Network.
According to Voltage CEO Graham Krizek, Lightning adoption could accelerate to the point where it handles 5% of global stablecoin transaction volume by 2028, driven by initiatives like Time2Build that fund practical, real-world integrations.