LUGANO, Switzerland, September 25, 2025 — Plan ₿ Network and the Plan ₿ VC Fund have announced CypherTank, a first-of-its-kind, Bitcoin-only pitch series that films real founder–investor negotiations, combines them with judge panel scoring, and distributes the episodes globally.
Filming will take place in Lugano with the Semifinals on October 22 and the Finals on October 27, during the week of Plan ₿ Forum (Oct 24-25). Edited episodes will be released across YouTube, Rumble, and X by the end of 2025.
What Makes CypherTank Different
- For-profit and nonprofit applicants: Both investment and grants are offered.
- Filmed for release: Episodes will be recorded and edited for global distribution.
- Real deals on camera: Judges can extend live investment or grant offers.
- Scored by Bitcoin’s top investors: Founders are evaluated by leading voices in the industry.
- Bitcoin-only focus: Builders pitch exclusively Bitcoin and contiguous technologies.
Tracks & Prize Pool
- For-Profit Startups (8 finalists, 4 categories)
- On-Chain Bitcoin Tech · Lightning Tech · Peer-to-Peer Tech · Emerging Markets.
- Winners share a $450,000 pre-authorized investment (capped SAFE) from the Plan ₿ VC Fund and $200,000 in incubation and acceleration services at the Lugano Plan ₿ Hub. Judges may extend additional offers.
- Nonprofits (3 finalists)
- Human Rights Protection · Scientific Breakthroughs · Lugano Bitcoin-Citadel.
- The winning nonprofit receives a $200,000 grant from the Plan ₿ Foundation, with potential additional grants from judges.
- Total prize pool: $850,000+
Judges Panel
- Paolo Ardoino (Tether / Plan ₿ VC Fund)
- Oleg Mikhalsky (Fulgur Ventures / Plan ₿ VC Fund & Foundation)
- Adam Back (Blockstream)
- Matt Odell (Ten31, OpenSats)
- Preston Pysh (Ego Death)
- Allen Farrington (Axiom)
- Mike Jarmuz (Lightning Ventures)
- Eric Yakes (Epoch)
- Brad Mills (Angel Investor)
Schedule
- September 2025 – Global call for applications opens
- October 22, 2025 – Semifinals recorded at PoW.Space (for-profit startups)
- October 27, 2025 – Finals (for-profit + nonprofit), winners announced
- November 2025 – Post-production; episodes released online by year-end
Quote
“CypherTank is designed to give Bitcoin founders not only capital, but a global stage,” said Giacomo Zucco, Director of the Plan ₿ Network.
“By recording real negotiations, scoring pitches, and sharing episodes online, we’re amplifying innovation and drawing attention to Lugano as a Bitcoin hub.”
Call for Applications
Applications are open now for both for-profit startups and nonprofit projects building on Bitcoin. Apply today at https://forms.gle/uDB4kuoxBMrngQQY7
About Plan ₿ Network
Plan ₿ Network SA advances Bitcoin adoption worldwide through education, investment, and community initiatives, including the Plan ₿ Forum, the Plan ₿ Hub in Lugano, and the Plan ₿ VC Fund.
Media Contact
Giacomo Zucco—Director, Plan ₿ Network
me@giacomozucco.com
Mike Jarmuz—Founder, Lightning Ventures
mike@ltng.ventures
