Bitcoin & Lightning Workshop
Black Blockchain Summit Bitcoin & Lightning Workshop
Bitcoin, Dollars, Smart Contracts & Lightning Transactions
Date: September 20
Time: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Place: Interdisciplinary Research Building
Howard University
2201 Georgia Ave NW
Washington, DC 20059
Overview: Participants will learn to set up and use Bitcoin wallets and nodes with Melanin Click tools, covering installation, configuration, and hands-on mining. The workshop will also demonstrate integrating nodes with distributed energy systems
Why Attend: Attendees will receive $5 to practice Lightning Network dollar-to-bitcoin conversions. Learn how to securely accept Bitcoin payments and discover how Melanin Click tools can empower your operations. Lunch will be provided.
Agenda:
12:00 PM - Welcome & Lunch
- Dr. Todd Shurn, Howard University Computer Science
12:30 PM - Bitcoin Wallets & Node Introduction
- Overview of Bitcoin & Lightning Wallets
- Use cases of Bitcoin & Lightning with (Gaming)
- Overview of Melanin Click Bitcoin and Mining tools
1:00 PM - Hands-on Node Installation and Configuration
- Install and configure Bitcoin nodes using the provided script
2:30 PM - Break & Networking
- Discuss project ideas and form teams
3:00 PM - Mining Setup and Demonstration
- Practical session on mining with Bitcoin(ASIC Miner) & Whive protocol(CPU Miner)
4:00 PM - Project Presentation and Pitch Preparation
5:30 PM - Pitch Competition
- Present innovative solutions using Bitcoin nodes
5:45 PM - Awards & Closing Remarks
Facilitators: Wainaina Karanja & Christian Kakoba (Melanin) - Dr. Todd Shurn (Howard University)
Hackathon & Pitch Competition Awards:
- First Prize: $1,000
- Second Prize: $500
- Third Prize(Developer): $250
Building On Lighting
In April 2018, Zimbabwean startup BitMari (Now BillMari) and Nigerian counterpart Tanjalo successfully tested a Bitcoin Lightning transaction, with funds sent from Nigeria to Zimbabwe via bitcoin and collected as a remittance.
Tanjalo co-founder Tim Akinbo collaborated with Tongayi Choto (BillMari Software Developer) and was able to send US$15 dollars from Nigeria to a recipient in Zimbabwe using bitcoin and the BitMari platform.
We celebrate this achievement, being the first to use the Bitcoin Lighting Network to solve real money transfer challenges in Africa.