BNB Chain has teamed up with YZi Labs to host one of the UAE’s largest Web3 hackathons of 2025, offering $160,000 in prizes to encourage blockchain development across key industries. The event will take place in Abu Dhabi from December 5 to 6, bringing together developers, founders, and researchers from across the region aiming to build real-world blockchain applications.
The hackathon is the latest stop in the BNB Hack Local Series, a global initiative that supports on-the-ground innovation while expanding the BNB Chain developer ecosystem. Unlike traditional coding competitions, this edition combines online preparation with in-person hacking, mentoring, and networking, making it accessible to participants across the region.
Preparatory online workshops ahead of main event
Before the in-person sessions begin, BNB Chain will host a series of online workshops from November 24 to 27. These sessions are designed to help participants shape their project ideas and understand regional requirements in the UAE. Topics include:
• blockchain transformation within tourism and luxury sectors • Web3’s impact on real estate and property management • tokenization and digital finance infrastructure • adoption of emerging technology across traditional businesses
Industry speakers from BNB Chain and partner organizations are expected to guide participants on product-building fundamentals, regulatory awareness, and Web3 commercialization. Competitors can use these insights to refine their proposals before coding begins in Abu Dhabi.
Hackathon structure — two days of building, mentoring, and public demos
The Abu Dhabi event begins on December 5 with an opening ceremony, speaker sessions, and an orientation for hackathon teams. Following this, the coding phase officially starts and continues into the next day.
On December 6, teams will submit final builds and present their projects through live demos before an expert judging panel. Winners will be announced later that afternoon.
Throughout both days, teams can engage with technical mentors, advisors, and ecosystem partners. The organizers say that collaboration and networking are central parts of the event, with the goal of helping developers secure long-term support beyond the hackathon.
Prizes extend beyond cash — pathways to funding and acceleration
Alongside the $160,000 prize pool, the hackathon offers additional opportunities designed to support the most promising teams. The rewards for top participants include:
• Kickstart Ecosystem Support Program access • interviews for the MVB (Most Valuable Builder) accelerator • potential investment consideration from the $1B Builder Fund
The top cash prize stands at $5,000 USD, but BNB Chain emphasizes that the broader goal is to provide ongoing incubation, mentorship, and industry connections that can help transform prototypes into full-scale Web3 products.
Eight innovation tracks to reflect UAE and global Web3 trends
Participants may develop projects in any of the following eight categories:
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trading infrastructure
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Real-World Assets (RWA)
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artificial intelligence
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decentralized science (DeSci)
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decentralized finance (DeFi)
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payments and settlement
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wallet and identity solutions
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regional impact initiatives built for UAE priorities
These tracks mirror the sectors where blockchain demand is growing rapidly across the Middle East, including property tokenization, cross-border commerce, and digital identity frameworks.
What judges will evaluate
Projects will be scored based on:
• design quality and user experience • practicality and scalability • innovation and problem solving • integration of BNB Chain technologies • open-source availability and community value
Teams that demonstrate strong commitment to transparency and ecosystem contribution may receive higher scores.
Tools and developer support
BNB Chain has provided a full toolkit to support teams in preparing for the event, including documentation, tutorials, and integrations. Mentorship will remain available throughout the hackathon for guidance on smart contract security, UI/UX, and product viability.
A gateway to the global builder community
BNB Chain describes the hackathon not only as a competition but as an “entry point into a global builder network.” Previous participants in the BNB Hack Local Series have gone on to receive accelerator placements, funding from venture firms, and ecosystem grants.
Organizers say the goal is to identify high-potential teams early and provide the support needed to ensure that Web3 projects built during the hackathon can mature into businesses that contribute to the broader digital economy.
Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its Web3 footprint
The UAE — and Abu Dhabi in particular — continues to position itself as a global Web3 innovation hub, thanks to regulatory clarity, investment infrastructure, and industry-focused initiatives. Hosting the hybrid hackathon supports that vision and provides a platform for developers to build real-world solutions with direct industry relevance.
With less than three weeks until the event, interest from the regional development community continues to grow. Participants view the hackathon not only as an opportunity to win prizes but as a pathway to long-term partnerships, incubation, and venture backing.
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