Blog Post: 4th Wave of Bitcoin Grants (#225)

* Initial import

* Fix markdown violations

* Insert ToC and donate button

* Insert "Donate to Ops" button

* Formatting and line-breaks

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* Link to dni profile

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* space -> ecosystem

data/blog/bitcoin-grants-feb-2024.mdx

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+---
+title: "Fourth Wave of Bitcoin Grants"
+date: '2024-02-25'
+tags: ['OpenSats', 'grants', 'bitcoin']
+draft: false
+authors: ['rob', 'dergigi']
+images: ['/static/images/blog/24-bitcoin-feb.jpg']
+summary: "OpenSats is funding 9 more open-source projects in the bitcoin ecosystem."
+---
+
+As Bitcoin is approaching its next halving event, developers all over the world
+are working tirelessly to bring about a better future promised by sound and
+permissionless money. We are trying our best to help bring said future about by
+providing no-strings-attached funding for the most impactful open-source
+projects in the Bitcoin ecosystem, and we are planning to do this for many
+[more](/blog/recurring-donations-from-bitwise-bitcoin-etf-bitb)
+[decades](/blog/bitcoin-infrastructure-this-decade) to come.
+
+Our board has selected nine more projects for funding. In no particular order,
+here they are:
+
+- [Splicing in LDK](#splicing-in-ldk)
+- [Bitcoin Core Testing Suite](#bitcoin-core-testing-suite)
+- [BLAST](#blast)
+- [Scaling Lightning](#scaling-lightning)
+- [Satsigner](#satsigner)
+- [Firebolt](#firebolt)
+- [The Bitaxe](#the-bitaxe)
+- [The Bitcoin LARP Game](#the-bitcoin-larp-game)
+- [Braidpool](#braidpool)
+
+All of the above grants are sourced from our [General
+Fund](/projects/general_fund), which is funded by generous
+donors like you. If you want to help us support free and open-source projects
+please consider donating to the fund:
+
+<center>
+    <DonateToGeneralFundButton/>
+</center>
+
+---
+
+This marks the fourth wave of grants given to bitcoin projects, following our
+announcements in [July](/blog/bitcoin-grants-july-2023),
+[August](/blog/bitcoin-and-nostr-grants-august-2023), and
+[December](/blog/bitcoin-grants-december-2023). In case
+you’re interested in the types of projects and people we support, we encourage
+you to have a look at our [long-term support
+grants](/tags/lts) as well as our [year in
+review](/blog/2023-year-in-review).
+
+As always, let's take a closer look at the projects to understand what they are
+about and how they align with [our mission](/mission).
+
+---
+
+### Splicing in LDK
+
+Splicing is a Lightning improvement that brings several practical advantages to
+users and node operators alike, such as more flexible channel management options
+with lower fees & no downtime. It also allows for better experiences when it
+comes to using wallets that combine on-chain and lightning payments. The goal of
+`ldk-splicing` is to add splicing support to LDK in an interoperable and
+pragmatic way.
+
+Repository: [ldksplicing/ldk-splicing](https://github.com/ldksplicing/ldk-splicing)  
+License: Apache 2.0 / MIT
+
+### Bitcoin Core Testing Suite
+
+The Bitcoin Core Testing Suite aims to increase the coverage and robustness of
+Bitcoin Core’s testing suite. This will help increase the stability and
+reliability of the bitcoin-core software and help give developers confidence
+when working on improvements.
+
+Repository: [bitcoin/bitcoin](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin) ([PRs](https://bitcoinacks.com/?flt0_author_contains=kevkevinpal))  
+License: MIT
+
+### BLAST
+
+The “Big Lightning Automated Simulation Tool” (BLAST) is a modeling and
+simulation framework specifically designed for the Lightning Network. Acting as
+both a software library and a standalone tool, BLAST aims to facilitate the
+creation of accurate tests and simulations that replicate real-world Lightning
+Network behavior.
+
+The primary objective of this project is to conduct research and development to
+devise an efficient representation of nodes and channels. This representation
+will enable the modeling of large networks while offering flexibility to
+customize necessary assumptions.
+
+Repository: [bjohnson5/blast](https://github.com/bjohnson5/blast)  
+License: GPL 3.0
+
+### Scaling Lightning
+
+Scaling Lightning is a framework for creating and interacting with test
+lightning networks. The project aims to provide a realistic lightning network
+environment for developers to build and develop their applications and services.
+Similar in concept to testnet faucets, `scaling-lightning` is a great tool for
+experimentation and learning.
+
+Easy routing allows individuals and companies to experiment and run signet
+nodes. An optional public API can allow participants to request interaction with
+a 3rd party's signet node such as to ask it to open a channel for you.
+
+Repository: [scaling-lightning/scaling-lightning](https://github.com/scaling-lightning/scaling-lightning)  
+License: MIT
+
+### Satsigner
+
+Satsigner is a mobile wallet that aims to give the user full control and
+visibility over what is happening to their sats at the protocol level. Most
+bitcoin wallets in use today use traditional designs and patterns that hide the
+underlying mechanics of the bitcoin protocol. While this trade-off might be
+appropriate for new users, failing to equip users with more meaningful and
+in-depth interfaces can hinder the acquisition of a deeper understanding of
+bitcoin. By focusing on the user experience problems from a bitcoiner’s
+perspective, the project hopes to develop native solutions for UTXO, fee,
+multisig, and key management.
+
+Repository: [satsigner/satsigner](https://github.com/satsigner/satsigner)  
+License: MIT
+
+### Firebolt
+
+Firebolt is a wallet that supports both on-chain and lightning transactions. It
+runs a custom non-routing Lightning node on the user’s mobile device and
+integrates with your nostr contacts. Firebolt is fully non-custodial, supports
+CoinJoin and PayJoin transactions, and integrates with peer-to-peer marketplaces
+such as Bisq, Peach, and RoboSats.
+
+The wallet is still in beta and under heavy development. Use with caution.
+
+Repository: [AreaLayer/FireBolt](https://github.com/AreaLayer/FireBolt)  
+License: MIT
+
+### The Bitaxe
+
+The Bitaxe is the first ASIC bitcoin miner in nearly a decade with fully
+open-source hardware and firmware. The primary goal is to be a reference design
+that can be taken as is, scaled up, and/or adapted to solve specific bitcoin
+mining use cases. The design takes into consideration cost and ease of access to
+core components while remaining a competitive miner.
+
+Documentation on how to manufacture the device, program the firmware, and
+contribute is central to the project.
+
+Repository: [skot/bitaxe](https://github.com/skot/bitaxe)  
+License: GPL 3.0
+
+### The Bitcoin LARP Game
+
+The world-famous Bitcoin LARP is a game designed to understand the inner
+workings of Bitcoin in a fun and interactive way. The goal of this project is to
+have open-source kits available to anyone that are easy to replicate, use, and
+set up.
+
+Beyond just software and optimizing for the ability to make kits easy to build &
+distribute, all instructions and build kit information will be made available
+under permissive open-source licenses too.
+
+Repository: [dni/](https://github.com/dni)[BASIC](https://github.com/niftynei/BASIC)  
+License: GPL 3.0
+
+### Braidpool
+
+Braidpool is a decentralized bitcoin mining pool. Braidpool aims to ship an
+implementation working on signet with hashrate donated by interested miners. The
+project will also publish their specifications and engage the mining community
+for wider adoption of Braidpool.
+
+The Braidpool proposal builds upon Schnorr signatures and Taproot, as well as
+novel peer-to-peer research. Braidpool enables all miners to do their own block
+construction and miner payouts can not be blocked by a central authority like a
+pool operator.
+
+Repository: [pool2win/braidpool](https://github.com/pool2win/braidpool/)  
+License: MIT
+
+---
+
+We are evaluating applications based on carefully [defined
+criteria](/apply#criteria) and we do our best to select only
+the [most impactful](/selection) and promising proposals.
+
+Thank you for your continual and generous support. As we don't take a cut from
+donations to open-source projects, we couldn't be doing what we are doing
+without your help. If you want to help us cover our operational expenses, please
+consider donating to our [operations
+budget](/projects/opensats_operations_budget).
+
+<center>
+    <DonateToOperationsButton/>
+</center>