Cronos Launches $42,000 Global Hackathon to Build AI-Native On-Chain Payment Systems

Source: ETHNews Original Title: Cronos Launches $42,000 Global Hackathon to Build AI-Native On-Chain Payment Systems Original Link: Cronos has kicked off the x402 PayTech Hackathon, a global developer competition offering a $42,000 prize pool to accelerate the creation of AI-native, on-chain payment applications. Built in partnership with DoraHacks, the initiative targets the next generation of automated financial infrastructure by combining artificial intelligence with blockchain-based settlement systems.

A Push Toward Autonomous, AI-Driven Payments

The hackathon invites teams worldwide to experiment with agentic AI payments, smart settlement workflows, advanced wallet tooling, and real-world asset (RWA) payment integrations. Developers will work with x402 agentic payment technology, the Crypto.com AI Agent SDK, and the upgraded Cronos network, which now offers 90% lower gas fees, improved throughput, and faster block times after its recent infrastructure updates.

Timeline and Participation

Registration is now open via the DoraHacks platform, with the building phase running from December 2025 through late January 2026. The event is open to both individual developers and teams, encouraging experimentation at the intersection of AI, automation, and decentralized finance.

Prize Pool and Builder Support

The hackathon features a structured reward system designed to keep promising projects alive beyond the competition:

• Top Award – $24,000, released in phases to support long-term development on the Cronos EVM
• Best x402 AI Agentic Finance Solution – $5,000
• Best Cronos x Crypto.com Ecosystem Integration – $3,000
• Best Dev Tooling or Data Virtualization Layer – $3,000

In addition to cash prizes, standout teams may gain access to post-hackathon grants, incubation opportunities, and deeper integration into the Cronos ecosystem, creating a pipeline for real-world deployment.

The launch of x402 PayTech reflects Cronos’ broader ambition to position AI-driven, autonomous payments at the center of next-generation digital finance.