Calling All Writers: Learn What The Bitcoin Writing Contest Is All About From The Rootstock Team

In this AMA, we discuss the ongoing #bitcoin writing contestand the main topics for the HackerNoon writer community: whether you're discussing Runes, ordinals, layer 2 solutions, sidechains, or technical insights on SDKs, APIs, smart contract development frameworks, and tutorials for building applications on Rootstock, we want to hear from you!

See the writing prompts here and share your story to win from $17,500!

Olia Dukova has over a decade of experience in Developer Relations and moved into the web3 space a few years ago. She has worked with various developer products across ecosystems like Cosmos, Ethereum, and Bitcoin, and has led DevRel teams in both startups and large companies. Currently, she heads Developer Experience at Rootstock Labs, where her focus is on empowering developers and promoting technology adoption.

Marco Santos has been immersed in the crypto space since 2011. With a background in journalism, his engagement with the crypto world has always been intertwined with his commitment to Open Source and Open Knowledge activism. Prior to embracing the "orange side of the force," Marco explored the NFT lending sector.

This Slogging thread by Mónica Freitas, Marco Dinis Santos, Asher Umerie, Olia Dukova, Sheharyar Khan and Jose Hernandez occurred in slogging's official #amas channel, and has been edited for readability.

Hi Olia Dukova! Hi Marco Santos! Thank you for joining us! I'd like to start by asking you a bit about yourselves, your background and your involvement with web3. Can you give us the rundown?

Hello Marco & Olia, it’s a pleasure to have you here!

Hello everyone! It’s a pleasure to be here!

Hello everyone 👋

Thank you for having me! I've been in Developer Relations for 12 years, with the last 3 focused on Web3. I've worked extensively with Cosmos, Ethereum, and Bitcoin, diving into their unique ecosystems and technologies.

Recently, I joined Rootstock as the Director of Developer Relations. Rootstock combines Bitcoin's security with smart contract capabilities, and my role involves building a strong developer community and creating tools to support innovation on the platform.

I'm passionate about developer products and look forward to discussing how we can drive the Web3 space forward together!

Wow, Olia! I'm curious about your experience transitioning from general dev relationships to Web3 development relationships. Have you noticed any particularities that set these two groups of developers apart, such as different needs or ways of working, and how have these differences impacted your role?

Great question, Mónica Freitas

Moving from Web3 has been a bit of a wild ride!

Web3 developers are super focused on decentralization, security, and privacy. The pace here is fast, with new tools and concepts popping up all the time, so I've had to stay on my toes and keep learning.

Community is huge in Web3. Developers want to be part of a movement, not just build stuff. This means my role involves more engagement in community initiatives and hackathons. It’s all about being adaptable and staying connected with the latest trends and needs.

How did you get involved in web3 Marco?

Mónica I wrote an article about Bitcoin for a newspaper back in 2011 (I was on the founding team of an online newspaper as a tech journalist). It’s been a wild ride since then, haha. That’s when I really went down the rabbit hole. Ethereum caught my eye in 2012. I’ve always been a terrible investor, though—bought 27 BTC when they were just $1 each and sold them the next day at a loss. But the bug had bitten me. Later, I got into NFTs and helped out with the community for Zharta, an NFT lending platform. I’ve also done consulting gigs for various Web3 companies along the way.

Your early dive into Bitcoin and Ethereum is really cool, and getting into NFTs and helping with Zharta must have been a blast, Marco. What's the most exciting thing about Web3 for you right now? And where do you see the biggest opportunities coming up?

Mónica, I’m not just saying this because I work for RootstockLabs, but the L2 space is really fascinating right now. Building on top of Bitcoin with a new level of creative freedom is a huge technological breakthrough and a step toward mass adoption. Then there’s the Rune protocol and the cool stuff happening with Thorchain. The community and the vibe are what Web3 is all about. Plus, it’s pretty funny to watch the meme coin movements popping up like mushrooms.

Hey folks! Welcome to the AMA! Marco Dinis Santos any regrets about selling those BTCs? They'd be worth quite a lot based on today's pricing 😅

Speaking of NFTs, I've personally noticed that BTC Ordinals haven't necessarily had the same splash as the original NFT standard on Ethereum. Is that just me, or has the web3 community also had the same observation? Is there a reason why that is?

Sheharyar, I think it’s because the ordinals protocol causes overloads in the chain, which leads to higher transaction fees. Plus, ordinals showed up when degens had already explored NFTs and the initial NFT bull run was over. I believe that NFTs and crypto bull and bear markets don’t always move in sync.

Oh.. and selling those BTC… let’s say I still have nightmares about it.

Marco, as the longest-lasting Bitcoin sidechain, Rootstock must’ve encountered many challenges/opportunities to pioneer. What would you say has been the most important problem you’ve encountered and gone on to address? How did you approach solving this issue, and what have been the results?

Asher, I’d say that question ties back to the origin story of Rootstock. In 2015, four friends came together to tackle hyperinflation in Argentina. Bitcoin was the obvious answer, much like gold, but they needed Ethereum’s programmability to create financial instruments for daily use. It’s still a work in progress, but the tool is here and making a difference for thousands of people, not just in Argentina but all over the world.

Web3 seems like the perfect industry for the GenZ 😂Marco, with all the innovation happening, how do you see RootstockLabs contributing to or shaping the future of Web3?

Mónica, at RootstockLabs, as one of the main contributors to Rootstock, our goal is to make Bitcoin work for everyone. I won’t go into all the details of https://rootstock.io/roadmap/ we envision, but I want to highlight a project I love: https://bitvmx.org/. It’s an open-source project aiming to create a CPU for universal computation on Bitcoin, imagined by Sergio Lerner—one of RootstockLabs’ founders—and his teams, and inspired by Robin Linus’ work on BitVM. This will enable, among other things, the creation of a truly decentralized and trustless bridge between users and the chain, eliminating the need for a federation in the protocol. And let me emphasize this: it’s open source for everyone to use. We’re genuinely committed to sharing the knowledge.

Olia, still on the topic of web3 developer relations. Can you describe any specific programs/initiatives Rootstock has in place to support developer education?

Of course! We have tons of cool programs to help developers out.

First up, there's the https://dev.rootstock.io/courses/. It's a free resource that dives deep into everything you need to know about Rootstock, perfect for both users and developers.

We also do community calls, regular AMAs, and X Spaces to keep everyone engaged and in the loop. These are awesome chances to ask questions, share insights, and hear about the latest updates.

On top of that, we have a bunch of guides and tutorials in our developer portal to help you get started and become a pro at building on Rootstock.

The best way to keep up with everything is to http://discord.gg/rootstock. It's a lively place where you can chat with other developers, get support, and stay updated on all our initiatives.

Olia, what led to you moving into the web3 space? And what are some things/tips you wish you knew beforehand?

I got into Web3 because I was really excited about decentralization and wanted a new challenge. The idea of building transparent, secure systems that aren’t controlled by any one entity was super appealing.

One thing I wish I knew beforehand is how to spot the real tech from the scams. There’s a lot of amazing innovation, but also plenty of sketchy stuff. Do your research and stay cautious!

And Rust. I wish I knew Rust 😅

Hello, Marco! How has your journalism background helped you navigate the crypto/web3 world?

Jose, it helps to deal with the amount of information we are bombarded with every day. 😅 Jokes aside, there are some things in common: mainly the need to check all the sources and confirm data 3 times.

Marco, that sounds like a game-changer with BitVMX!

That's super helpful, Olia! I'd like to ask you about storytelling in tech: What are the key elements of a compelling tech story? Are there unique elements to this industry?

Sure, Mónica! IMO in tech, a compelling story starts with a clear problem that people can relate to and shows how your tech is the perfect solution. It’s all about connecting with the audience and making them see the impact. Highlighting the human side of things is key—how does this tech change lives or make things easier?

Another big part is showcasing the innovation and vision behind the technology. People love hearing about cutting-edge stuff and what the future holds. And keep it simple! Even the most complex tech can be made understandable and engaging if you break it down right.

Sharing the journey of creating the tech, including the challenges and how they were overcome, makes the story relatable and interesting. In Web3, there’s an extra layer because it’s all about decentralization and community-driven innovation. It’s not just the tech itself but the movement behind it that makes the story stand out.

Thanks, Olia! That’s a great perspective on storytelling in tech. Speaking of compelling stories, could you tell us more about the #Bitcoin Writing Contest you’re hosting on HackerNoon? What inspired you to launch this contest, and what kind of stories are you hoping to see from the participants?

Ofc! We launched this contest to celebrate Bitcoin's journey and especially to highlight the incredible work being done by developers in this space. We’re eager to see stories about Bitcoin’s impact on finance and other areas. I am particularly interested in technical guides and tutorials on building on Bitcoin.

Developers play a crucial role in driving innovation, and we want to showcase their contributions. Whether it's a deep dive into development stacks, tools, SDKs, APIs, or step-by-step guides on building applications and smart contracts, we’re looking for authentic and engaging content that highlights the technical side of Bitcoin.

I can't wait to see the amazing work and insights from the community :star-struck:

Marco, given the initial goal of tackling hyperinflation in Argentina by combining Bitcoin’s security with Ethereum’s programmability, can you share some of the financial instruments that have been successfully implemented on Rootstock? I’m curious to hear how these tools have impacted users both locally and around the world.

Asher, there are some protocols working on Rootstock that have been helping to tackle the hyperinflation problem like https://moneyonchain.com/, https://tropykus.com/home/section/savingsor https://sovryn.app/. Check them out if you can.

These look great! Marco, I can’t wait to dig in.

Amazing initiative, Olia! For aspiring writers interested in joining the contest, what advice would you give them to ensure their submissions resonate with both technical experts and a broader audience interested in Bitcoin?

Mónica, hmm... IMO sometimes (not always) it's better to tailor your approach to a specific audience rather than trying to appeal to both technical experts and a broader audience in the same piece.

For non-technical content, I'd say, aim to be educational, entertaining, or thought-provoking. Make sure your writing is engaging and backed by interesting facts. Sharing real-world stories about how Bitcoin is impacting lives can make your content more relatable and impactful.

For anyone wanting to take a stab at writing a tutorial for building applications on Rootstock, but who is interacting with you for the first time, where would you advise them to start? Olia Dukova

You can ping me anytime on X or Telegram @oliadukova. You can also drop us a line at devrel@roostocklabs.com. And of course, I encourage you to join our friendly http://discord.gg/rootstock 🙂 Always happy to help!

Marco, what are you most excited to read about? Any tips for a first-time writing contest participant?

Mónica, regarding storytelling in tech, my advice is to make it personal and relatable. Tech shouldn’t just be about material innovations or code; it should be about how it impacts everyday lives. Focus on the human element, showing how technology can solve real problems, enhance experiences, and bring people together. By highlighting these connections, you make the story more engaging and meaningful to your audience. And this is also the best advice I can give to a first-time writing contest participant.

(see what I did there? 😎)

Thank you Olia and Marco for all your insights! Before we go, what would be the main takeaway you would like people to get from this AMA and your contest?

The main takeaway? Share your stories and insights! Whether you’re a developer, writer, or just someone who loves Bitcoin, your unique perspective is valuable. We want to see your creativity and knowledge come to life in the #Bitcoin Writing Contest. So, get writing, have fun, and let’s keep building this awesome community together.

I’m calling out my activist side to prompt the readers to learn - and there’s no better way to deepen your understanding than by writing about it. While Bitcoin is often compared to gold, I believe that knowledge is the true treasure. I invite everyone to join our community on https://discord.gg/rootstock and https://x.com/rootstock_ioto engage in discussions and expand our knowledge together.

Thanks, everyone!

That’s a wrap for this AMA!

Thank you Olia Dukova and Marco Dinis Santos for your time, thoughtful answers and attention to detail. We’re excited to follow your journey from here on out and see what you do next!

To all the writers on HackerNoon, make sure to leverage the valuable insights shared during this conversation when crafting your entries for the #bitcoin writing contest.

We can’t wait to read what you come up with!

Thanks for having us on this AMA and good luck everyone! You know where to find us! :saluting_face:

Thank you for your time Marco and Olia!