Breez launches Time2Build to boost Bitcoin Lightning development The Bitcoin Lightning Network development kit provider Breez has introduced a new initiative called Time2Build. This program is designed to financially reward developers who successfully integrate Bitcoin Lightning Network functionalities into existing open-source applications. The unique aspect of the program is that payments are only issued for code contributions that are officially accepted and merged by the maintainers of the original projects. The core objective of Time2Build is to accelerate the adoption and utility of the Lightning Network by embedding its capabilities directly into a wide array of popular software. Instead of building entirely new applications from scratch, the initiative encourages enhancing tools that users are already familiar with. This approach can potentially bring Bitcoin’s instant, low-cost payment layer to a much broader audience through the apps they use daily. Developers interested in participating can browse a list of suggested projects and feature ideas curated by Breez. The current list includes a diverse range of applications, such as the note-taking app Joplin, the video player VLC, the file sharing service FileDrop, and the content management system WordPress. Proposed integrations range from adding tipping mechanisms and paywalls to enabling micropayments for digital goods and services directly within these platforms. The funding for Time2Build is sourced from a grant provided by Spiral, the Bitcoin development division of the payments company Block. This financial backing ensures that developers are compensated for their time and expertise, making it more feasible for them to contribute to open-source projects that benefit the entire ecosystem. The program operates on a milestone-based payment system. A developer first selects a project and a specific feature to implement. They then submit a proposal outlining their plan. Once the proposal is approved, they begin the development work. The crucial step for receiving payment is the acceptance of their pull request by the upstream, independent maintainers of the open-source project. This model ensures that the code meets the quality and security standards of the project it is being contributed to, and that it provides genuine value. This maintainer-acceptance requirement is a key quality control measure. It prevents the submission of low-quality or insecure code just to claim a reward. It also aligns the initiative with the principles of open-source collaboration, where contributions are vetted by trusted community leaders who are responsible for the project’s integrity. For the wider Bitcoin and open-source community, Time2Build represents a practical method to foster growth. By incentivizing development, it helps overcome the common challenge where developers have the skill but lack the financial means to dedicate significant time to open-source work. For application developers, it offers a way to get new features funded and built. For end-users, the eventual outcome is a richer set of functionalities in their favorite apps, seamlessly integrating Bitcoin payments for a variety of uses. The launch of Time2Build signals a continued effort to build out the infrastructure and application layer of the Bitcoin Lightning Network. By focusing on existing, established open-source applications, the program aims to create real-world utility and drive user adoption in a more direct and impactful way.
