Wallets as we know them have come a long way since their inception. Transformative ideas are born every day, but the journey from concept to reality is what truly defines the possibilities of web3. WalletConnect Hacks, an exclusive 5-day hackathon dedicated entirely to enhancing the wallet experience, created the perfect crucible for such innovations.

The inaugural WalletConnect Hacks was hosted last month in Lisbon, Portugal, and saw a convergence of over 60 builders from top-tier projects like MetaMask, Ledger and 1inch come together to innovate, collaborate, and address some of the industry’s most pressing challenges. The 5-day hack week saw more than seven solutions spearheaded by some of the space’s greatest minds, spanning key industry problems — from gas sponsorship to the intricacies of smart accounts.

WalletConnect Hacks chose Lisbon for its inaugural activation, capitalizing on the city's thriving tech and startup scene. The week felt unlike any other ‘hackathon’, but more a fusion of the most talented minds committed to tackling some of the most pressing barriers in the ecosystem.

Builders from diverse specialties contributed rich experiences, focusing on transforming innovative ideas into practical solutions for pivotal industry challenges.

Problems Worth Solving

The core goal of WalletConnect Hacks was to foster groundbreaking innovations across web3. Here's a glimpse into a couple of key tracks and their significance:

Gas Sponsorship

Eliminating the need for users to hold a blockchain’s native token to cover transaction fees, gas sponsorship is pivotal for a frictionless and user-friendly experience. This track was led by a coalition of Pimlico, Biconomy, ZeroDev, Safe, Rhinestone, Trust, Coinbase, and WalletConnect. The result? Dapps being able to seamlessly sponsor gas fees without altering their code, and those updating their code being able to access batch transaction interfaces. These changes are set to streamline transactions further and pave the way for session key innovation, enhancing both security and user experience.

Session Keys

The track on session keys highlighted an effort to simplify user interactions while maintaining security. Looking ahead, there are several steps to be finalized, including the on-chain implementation of the userOpBuilder, the completion of the 7579 Permission Module for use by Safe, ZeroDev, and Biconomy, and updating the session-keys-demo repository. The ultimate goal is to formalize these innovations into an Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP), significantly advancing how blockchain transactions are secured and authorized.

Ledger SDK, Smart Accounts, Payment Links and 1-Click Payments

WalletConnect Hacks also saw significant advancements in other areas. The Ledger team’s collaboration with WalletConnect on the SDK and smart accounts is enhancing wallet security and user experience. Meanwhile, Peanut Protocol introduced its seamless payment links in Web3Modal, easing peer-to-peer transactions. In parallel, MetaMask, Fireblocks, and BoomFi’s One-Click Payments track is aligning crypto transactions with the simplicity of fiat transactions. Each of these efforts represents a collective stride towards a more intuitive and secure digital wallet ecosystem, setting new benchmarks for ease of use and functionality.

The Path Forward

The prototypes showcased at WalletConnect Hacks were a testament to the event’s conducive atmosphere. In the coming weeks, expect to see many of these innovations taking shape as influential standards in wallet user experience. Keep an eye on updates from participating projects to stay informed about their rollout.

The first chapter of WalletConnect Hacks has drawn to a close, yet we're already busy plotting the next. If you couldn't join us this time, you'll have the chance to be part of the next exciting chapter this summer. We extend our thanks to all those who contributed to our recent event.

Stay tuned to our social channels for the latest updates and announcements on how you can help shape the next chapter of WalletConnect Hacks.