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Hello, Bitcoin community.
During the ICP WCHL25 Hackathon, we submitted the first functional version of ZatoBox #1064780 : a modular, open source point-of-sale system for physical and digital merchants. We met the deadline. We delivered.
But we weren’t selected.
But we weren’t selected.
And that’s okay.
Because this experience gave us something more valuable than a prize: clarity. It forced us to reflect, to refocus, and to recover the drive that brought us here in the first place.
🧭 Where we stand now
The hackathon was only the beginning. While we weren’t among the finalists, the lessons were undeniable — and the direction forward became crystal clear.
We're currently in the process of:
- Cleaning and restructuring our GitHub repo, which, like many rushed hackathon projects, ended up cluttered with leftover OCR components and quickfixes.
- Rebuilding the backend from scratch, with a stable, modular, and well-documented architecture for real-world deployment.
- Removing our previous ICP (Internet Computer Protocol) integration from the roadmap. While it served us during the event, we’ve chosen to simplify and focus on more universally accessible tools.
- Preparing for BTC Pay Server integration, as our long-term Bitcoin payment engine for non-custodial, trustless transactions.
These steps are currently in progress and not yet publicly deployed.
🔭 What’s coming next (ETA: 30–60 days)
- Final repo cleanup and contributor documentation
- Full backend reimplementation
- BTC Pay Server integration
- Initial ZatoBox Cloud version (self-hosted + plug & play option)
- Community engagement and visibility campaign
🤝 Open call to collaborators
ZatoBox was born open source — by design, not by convenience.
We believe in building public infrastructure for private businesses. Technology that respects ownership, sovereignty, and simplicity.
We believe in building public infrastructure for private businesses. Technology that respects ownership, sovereignty, and simplicity.
We’re looking for contributors who want to help us build:
- Backend and frontend developers (Python / FastAPI / React)
- UX/UI designers
- Product thinkers and system architects
- Bitcoiners who understand real-world adoption
- Creators and community organizers
If you care about local commerce, sovereignty, and building tools that work for people, we’d love to hear from you.
🎯 Our mission remains unchanged
Empower 50,000 small businesses in 5 years,
without banks, intermediaries, or vendor lock-in.
ZatoBox is a toolset for real merchants.
We want any entrepreneur — even non-technical ones — to launch a store, accept Bitcoin, sync inventory, and grow their business... in minutes.
We want any entrepreneur — even non-technical ones — to launch a store, accept Bitcoin, sync inventory, and grow their business... in minutes.
We didn’t win the hackathon.
But we gained something much more important: focus, momentum, and a better version of ourselves.
But we gained something much more important: focus, momentum, and a better version of ourselves.
This is just the beginning.
Discord (coffee & code): https://discord.gg/2zUVsv9aMF
GitHub (main): https://github.com/ZatoBox/main
I appreciate that you’re following what we’re building.
I’ll be sharing weekly updates with the project’s progress and developments.
We can also connect on Discord if something specific comes up.
I’d be glad to hear their thoughts as well.
I’m always open to perspectives rooted in experience that can help ZatoBox reach its full potential for Bitcoin adoption.