Introducing Merlin’s Adventure: 210M $MERL for Builders
Dear Merlin Community,
It has been more than 12 months since Merlin Chain started the journey in the Bitcoin ecosystem. We are very proud of the milestones achieved so far: the largest TVL, the most developers, and the most robust community among the Bitcoin Layer-2 (BTC L2). Rome was not built in a day, and to further invigorate the ecosystem, we are inviting innovative and dedicated builders from around the globe.
Today, we are thrilled to launch Merlin’s Adventure, our Ecosystem Grant Program designed for builders who contribute to the adoption and advancement of Merlin Chain. With a total of 210 million $MERL and our dedicated support, we aim to cultivate more user-centric, innovative, and Bitcoin native applications to build on Merlin Chain, thereby accelerating the growth of the BTC L2 ecosystem.
What We Are Looking For
We welcome applications aligning with any one of the following five categories:
- User Experience Pioneer
- BTC Native Assets Innovator
- Merlin Visibility Trailblazer
- Ecosystem Engagement Leader
- Bitcoin Innovation Pathfinder
1. User Experience Pioneer 💻
Projects focused on improving the user experience within the Merlin Chain ecosystem. Potential areas of focus include, but are not limited to:
- Ensure user-friendly, stable and seamless on-chain interactions. (e.g. Cross-Chain Bridges, Stablecoins).
- Safeguard the assets and secure the transactions on Merlin Chain. (e.g. Oracle, Security Tools).
- Develop infrastructure that suits the needs of BTC native users. (e.g. Wallets, DEX).
- Provide on-chain data tracking and analysis specifically for Merlin Chain ecosystem projects.
2. BTC Native Assets Innovator 🟧
Projects that empower the BTC Layer-1 native assets such as $BTC, Ordinals, Runes and more. Potential directions include, but are not limited to:
- Propose innovative financial models that directly empower BTC assets. (e.g. BTCFi).
- Develop applications that deeply integrate with BTC assets and provide practical use cases.
- Establish infrastructure to facilitate inscriptions and transactions around BTC native assets. (e.g. Launchpads, Marketplaces).
3. Merlin Visibility Trailblazer 🧙🏻
Projects designed to enhance the visibility of the Merlin Chain ecosystem. Potential directions include but not limited to:
- Increase the number of users, teams, and dApps within the Merlin Chain ecosystem. (e.g. Bluechip DeFi Projects, Established OG Teams with significant user bases).
- Expand external awareness of Merlin Chain’s vision, products, traction, and achievements. (e.g. Merlin Chain native DAOs).
- Foster innovation within the Merlin Chain ecosystem. (e.g. Developer Tools).
4. Ecosystem Engagement Leader 🚀
Projects aimed at enriching the playability and enjoyment of the Merlin Chain ecosystem. Potential directions include but not limited to:
- Introduce interactive experience and entertainment to users. (e.g. Gaming).
- Encourage user participation by adding elements of fun and excitement. (e.g. SocialFi).
- Bridge the community together by integrating popular cultures. (e.g. memes).
5. Bitcoin Innovation Pathfinder 💡
Native innovations leveraging Bitcoin’s unique features within the Merlin Chain ecosystem can take various forms, including but not limited to:
- Innovations specifically tailored to leverage Bitcoin’s distinct features.
- Initiatives that have not yet been seen or adopted within other ecosystems.
- Potential opportunities you foresee within the Bitcoin ecosystem.
What We Can Provide
- Funding: 210,000,000 $MERL in total.
- Ticket Size: Each project will be rewarded up to 1,000,000 $MERL for each milestone achieved.
- Networking: Investor Relations, Ecosystem Partnerships, Developer Network, Media Resources, Influencers, Local Communities.
- Tech Support: 24/7 Tech Support, Infrastructures & Tools, Security Audit, Workshops.
- Marketing Support: AMA, Online & Offline Events, Ecosystem Campaigns.
- Strategy & Product Advice: Regular Review on Product Milestones, Growth Strategy, Business Mentoring, Market Insights.
Timeline
- Start: June, 2024
- Duration: Long-term Initiative on a Rolling Basis
Application & Review
1. Application
Apply: https://tally.so/r/w51o0v
Please submit Pitch Decks that includes the following information:
- Proposal to Merlin: Explain what you’re building and why it fits at least one of the five categories (User Experience Pioneer, BTC Native Assets Innovator, Merlin Visibility Trailblazer, Ecosystem Engagement Leader, Bitcoin Innovation Pathfinder).
- Product Progress & Roadmap: Share the current progress, achieved milestones, and future plans.
- Team Background: Provide background information about the founder(s) and the core team.
- Other Information: Include any other essential details.
2. Evaluation
The Merlin Chain Ecosystem Team will reach out to selected teams for an interview after the initial selection. The interview includes a 30-minute online pitch & product demo, followed by a Q&A session.
The Merlin Community will also be a pivotal part in the deciding evolution. We will share all the grant applications on a public platform and invite constructive feedback from other projects and partners. A voting mechanism will also be introduced in the future where the community can vote for their favorite projects with their $MERL. Ultimately, the final results will represent both our team’s assessment and the community’s input.
3. Announcement
Merlin Team will announce selected projects on a rolling basis, followed by a PR schedule including social media, spotlight articles, AMAs and more.
4. Onboarding & Post Grant Check-in
Merlin Team will distribute the $MERL grant in STAGES based on the achieved milestones, while providing continuous support to the development and growth of the ecosystem projects.
The Bitcoin ecosystem is still in its early stage, we believe it has a strong foundation and inherent great potential to foster boundless innovative applications for BTC Hodlers. We are inviting all the passionate builders and enthusiastic individuals to join us in this endeavor. Together we continue striding towards development, growth and innovation.
LET’S MAKE BITCOIN FUN AGAIN!
About Merlin Chain
Merlin Chain is a native Bitcoin Layer2 that is committed to empowering Bitcoin’s native assets, protocols, and products on Layer1 through its Layer2 network, to Make Bitcoin Fun Again. Merlin Chain integrates ZK-Rollup network, decentralized oracle network, and on-chain BTC fraud proof modules.Merlin Chain has locked over 3.5 billion TVL within 30 days after its mainnet launch. The team behind Merlin, Bitmap Tech, is a premier OG team boasting an overall market cap exceeding $500 million. The BRC-420 “Blue Box” collection under Bitmap Tech has become one of the hottest assets on Ordinals.
