Bitcoin open-source development is growing, and so is the need for skilled developers to sustain and advance the ecosystem.
At Btrust Builders, our mission is to identify, train, and support African developers as they build their expertise in Bitcoin and contribute meaningfully to open-source projects.
With this in mind, we’re excited to introduce the Btrust Builders Pathways, a structured learning and development framework designed to equip developers at various experience levels with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities needed to contribute to Bitcoin’s open-source ecosystem.
What Are the Builders Pathways?
The Btrust Builders Pathways program offers five structured learning tracks, each designed to help developers gain the necessary technical and conceptual knowledge to contribute to Bitcoin development.
Whether you are a beginner looking to understand Bitcoin fundamentals or an experienced developer aiming to refine your skills in Bitcoin development, these pathways provide a clear and structured journey into Bitcoin open-source contributions.
The Five Pathways
Pathway #1: Mastering Bitcoin (Beginner, 8 weeks)
- Learn Bitcoin fundamentals through a structured study of Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas M. Antonopoulos.
- Weekly study groups, discussions, and live Q&A sessions.
- Perfect for individuals new to Bitcoin who want a strong theoretical foundation.
Pathway #2: Learn Bitcoin from the Command Line (Intermediate, 7 weeks)
- Hands-on experience interacting with Bitcoin Core using CLI.
- Focuses on running Bitcoin nodes, understanding transactions, and network interactions.
- Ideal for developers looking for real-world, technical Bitcoin experience.
Pathway #3: Rust for Bitcoiners (Intermediate to Advanced, 4–6 weeks)
- A deep dive into Rust programming for Bitcoin development.
- Prepares developers for projects like Bitcoin Core, BDK, and other Bitcoin Rust-based libraries.
- If you’re a developer interested in Rust for Bitcoin, this is your pathway.
Pathway #4: Language Clubs (Beginner to Intermediate, Self-paced)
- Developers learn key programming languages relevant to Bitcoin development (C++, Python, Golang, etc.).
- Community-driven, allowing developers to learn at their own pace.
- Great for developers looking to enhance their programming skills for Bitcoin development.
Pathway #5: Start Your Career in BOSS (All levels, 3 months)
- A fully immersive experience designed to help developers make their first contributions to open-source Bitcoin projects.
- Prepares developers for long-term engagement in the ecosystem and eligibility for Btrust Developer Grants.
Why Join a Pathway?
- Each pathway is carefully designed to provide progressive knowledge and hands-on experience. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to contribute to major Bitcoin projects, there’s a pathway for you.
- All pathways are completely free. Our goal is to remove barriers to entry and ensure that anyone with the passion and dedication to learn Bitcoin development can participate.
- Pathway participants will engage in collaborative learning, get guidance from experienced Bitcoin developers, and be part of a thriving community of builders.
- Outstanding developers who excel in these pathways may qualify for Btrust Developer Grants, which provide funding to enable full-time contributions to Bitcoin open-source development.
Who Can Apply?
- Developers from any background with a strong interest in Bitcoin and open-source development.
- You can start from any pathway depending on your current knowledge and goals.
Do note that pathways are not a requirement for BOSS. You can still apply directly for the 2026 cohort in late 2025.
We also don’t recommend joining more than one pathway at a time, as each pathway includes self-paced study, live sessions, and exercises. You can always complete one and then join another.
Btrust Developer Grants
If you’ve already built a strong proof of work in Bitcoin development and want to contribute full-time, you may be eligible for a Btrust Developer Grant.
Grant Opportunities:
- Starter Grant – Six months of funding to work full-time on Bitcoin projects.
- Open-Source Cohort – A structured program to support independent open-source contributors.
You do not need to complete a pathway to apply for a grant. Grants are based on proof of work and technical contributions.
Btrust provides funding through grants to support independent open-source Bitcoin contributions.
What’s Next?
Current & Upcoming Cohorts
- Pathways 1 & 2 launched in March 2025 – Registration is now open for the next cohort waitlist.
- Pathways 3 & 4 will launch in Q2 2025 – More details coming soon.
- The 2025 BOSS cohort is ongoing. The next application cycle opens in late 2025 for the 2026 cohort.
If you are interested in any of the pathways, you can join the Btrust Builders Discord for updates and community support.
Learn more about our pathways here.
About Btrust Builders
Btrust Builders is Btrust’s comprehensive engineering program designed to train experienced software developers in Africa to contribute to open-source Bitcoin & Lightning development. The program offers an immersive learning experience for engineers looking to build their competencies and portfolio in Bitcoin & Lightning development and a ramp to build a sustainable (funded) career contributing to open-source Bitcoin projects.