Key facts
- Cypher Tank's 2026 Bitcoin pitch competition is now accepting applications.
- The event expands to 12 finalists: eight for-profit and four nonprofit projects.
- Founders will pitch for direct investment from a panel of judges known as "honey badgers".
- Three prizes of $100,000 each will be awarded for incubation, acceleration, or relocation services.
- Applications are open from August 13 to September 25.
- The finals will be held October 25-27 at PoW Space Lugano.
Cypher Tank, a Bitcoin-focused pitch competition, has reopened applications for its 2026 event, continuing its mission to foster innovation in the cryptocurrency space. The competition, promoted and funded by the Plan ₿ VC Fund and the Plan ₿ Foundation, utilizes a "Shark Tank"-style format combined with documentary-style production to showcase real pitches, deals, and judge deliberations.
This year's edition expands the field to 12 finalists, comprising eight for-profit and four nonprofit projects, an increase from the previous year's eleven. Founders will compete to secure direct investment from a panel of judges, dubbed the "honey badgers," and vie for one of three $100,000 prizes. These prizes are designated for incubation, acceleration, or relocation services.
Finalists are selected based on alignment with core values such as individual freedom, privacy, decentralization, and resilience, alongside execution ability, market feasibility, and integration within the Plan ₿ ecosystem. The application period runs from August 13 to September 25, with finalists being notified starting September 30.
The competition's finals are scheduled to take place from October 25-27 at PoW Space Lugano, immediately following the Plan ₿ Forum. The event will include a coaching day for finalists to refine their pitches with communication experts, followed by two days of live pitching and negotiation on October 26 and 27. Winners will be announced at the close of the second day.
The first season of Cypher Tank, which launched in 2025, offered over $850,000 in prizes and featured notable judges including Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, Blockstream's Adam Back, and Ten31's Matt Odell. The event rode the momentum of a large Plan ₿ Forum, which attracted over 4,000 attendees from 64 countries. Episodes from the first season premiered at Plan ₿ Forum El Salvador in January 2026, with winners formally honored in Lugano in March 2026.
With the second season now underway, Cypher Tank aims to build on its initial success by increasing the number of finalists and implementing a more structured four-phase format. The initiative seeks to further establish Lugano as a global center for Bitcoin and freedom-technology innovation. Founders interested in participating can find more information and submit applications through the official portal.