From the moment the inaugural Spacecoin Writing Contest took off, we knew we were in for something special. It wasn’t just a competition; it was an open call to minds far and wide, challenging writers to gaze into the future and articulate how decentralization, blockchain, and space technology might reshape our world. And boy, did you deliver! Over the past months, we’ve seen an incredible outpouring of creativity and insight, debating everything from the mechanics of a truly decentralized internet to the philosophical underpinnings of open access. Now, after an exhilarating journey through the cosmos of ideas, we’ve arrived at our final destination.
This announcement marks the thrilling conclusion of a contest that garnered over 230 entries from writers across the globe. Each round brought forth fresh perspectives and robust discussions, pushing the boundaries of what we collectively imagine for our technological future. The bar was set incredibly high by previous winners like @dawnteh, @walo, @marcushaldd, and @bigmao, whose insights into decentralized networks and tokenized economies left us all pondering new possibilities. The final round, which closed on October 7, 2025, was arguably our most competitive yet, attracting over 100 new entries all vying for a share of the impressive 15,000 USDT prize pool. So, without further ado, let’s wrap up this final chapter and celebrate the voices that truly made this contest one for the books!
A Cosmic Journey Culminates: The Spacecoin Writing Contest’s Impact
Think about it: at the beginning of this year, we launched a contest inviting writers to explore niche yet profoundly impactful topics. Who would have thought we’d receive such a robust response? The sheer volume and quality of submissions truly reflect a growing global fascination with the convergence of space, blockchain, and decentralized technologies. It’s clear that these aren’t just buzzwords; they represent a frontier of innovation that many are eager to explore and define.
The contest served as a vibrant platform for a truly diverse range of topics. We saw compelling arguments for satellite-powered, decentralized internet infrastructure, deeply researched dives into emerging trillion-dollar industries like on-orbit refueling and space debris cleanup, and thoughtful explorations of crucial real-world applications. Imagine a future where portable, transparent credit for the unbanked is the norm, or where power within the massive gaming industry is truly decentralized. These weren’t just theoretical musings; they were blueprints for a better tomorrow.
Unpacking the Finalists: Diverse Visions for a Decentralized Future
Before we dive into the winners, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the sheer intellectual firepower on display in the final round. The quality of the finalist submissions across all categories was truly astounding, reflecting not just technical understanding, but also a deep sense of social and economic responsibility. Let’s take a peek at some of the thought-provoking ideas that captivated our judges and voters.
The Decentralized Internet: Beyond the Clouds
In this category, writers tackled the very foundation of our digital lives. @nebojsaneshatodorovic explored “New Censors and Old Decentralized Internet Dreams,” reminding us that the fight for information freedom is ongoing. @induction highlighted “How Nepal’s Gen Z Uprising Made the Case for a Decentralized Internet,” offering a powerful real-world example. And @kulibali pondered “The Future of Information Freedom Might Be 550 Kilometers Above Earth,” suggesting our future internet might literally be in the stars. These discussions weren’t just about technology; they were about sovereignty, accessibility, and the fundamental right to communicate.
Space, the New Frontier: Innovation and Sustainability
The #spacetech category was a fascinating mix of engineering marvels and existential questions. From @nftbro’s provocative “Spacecraft From the 90s, or Why Humanity Uses Last Century’s Technology in Space” to @lonewolf’s critical look at “Is Elon Musk’s Timeline for Mars Colonization Still Feasible After 2025?”, writers didn’t shy away from challenging conventional wisdom. We also saw inspiring visions of practical solutions, like @hukanmpe’s “What If Your Electricity Came from Space?” and @innocentchuks’ exploration of on-orbit servicing, hinting at a future where space isn’t just about exploration, but also about sustainable resource management.
Blockchain’s Earthly (and Cosmic) Impact
The utility of blockchain extended far beyond finance in this category. Imagine presidential elections using blockchain, as explored by @askarajr, or blockchain as the future of educational proof, a concept championed by @jonathansewanudaniel23_bis3efj. @samuelogbonna138 even envisioned “Blockchain Emerges as a Fix for Space’s Governance Void,” pushing the technology into the realm of cosmic law and order. Perhaps most relatable to many, @joeysats delved into “Why Gaming Needs a Game Changer: Decentralization and the Future of Play,” a topic that truly resonates with the global gaming community. These stories demonstrated that blockchain isn’t just about tokens; it’s about building trust, transparency, and new paradigms across virtually every sector.
Celebrating the Trailblazers: Meet Your Round 3 Winners!
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! The votes are tallied, the decisions are made, and we are absolutely thrilled to announce the winners who rose to the top in this incredibly competitive final round. These individuals didn’t just write great stories; they sparked conversations, illuminated possibilities, and truly captured the spirit of the Spacecoin Writing Contest.
The #decentralized-internet Category
The top-voted #decentralized-internet story for Round 3 is none other than @mojomonkey’s “From Starlink to DePIN: How Satellites Are Powering a Decentralized Internet.” This piece brilliantly connects Starlink’s ambitious vision to the broader Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) movement, envisioning a web that’s not just online, but literally above us. The author then thoughtfully extends this concept to Spacecoin’s potential role in delivering connectivity and infrastructure to underserved or censored regions. It’s a compelling look at how we might just build a truly global, equitable internet. Congratulations @mojomonkey, you’ve just won 1000 USDT!
The #spacetech Category
This category was so hotly contested that we had to award two winners!
The top-voted #spacetech story for this round is “The Rise of On‑Orbit Servicing and Satellite Refueling as a New Space Industry,” by @innocentchuks. This article masterfully paints a picture of a future where on-orbit servicing transitions from a niche concept to an essential utility, much like gas stations became indispensable for cars. @innocentchuks envisions a network of fuel depots and robotic tenders in orbit by 2035, fundamentally changing how we design and utilize spacecraft. It’s a truly insightful look into the next big thing in space commerce. Congratulations @innocentchuks, you’ve won 1000 USDT!
Our runner-up in the #spacetech category is @samuelogbonna138 for “How Space Debris Cleanup Could Become the Next Trillion-Dollar Industry.” @samuelogbonna138 highlights a critical and often overlooked problem: our increasingly crowded Earth orbit. The article details how dangerous space junk is becoming and explores the race among agencies and firms to develop sci-fi-esque cleanup technology. This piece wasn’t just informative; it was a powerful call to action for a sustainable future in space. Congratulations @samuelogbonna138, you’ve won 500 USDT!
The #blockchain-use-case Category
Taking the top spot in the #blockchain-use-case category is @joeysats’s “Why Gaming Needs a Game Changer: Decentralization and the Future of Play.” As a gamer myself, this resonated deeply. The author astutely points out that despite the gaming industry’s colossal revenue – dwarfing film and music combined – the lion’s share of value often remains with studios. @joeysats passionately argues for how truly decentralized games could empower communities and preserve value for players. It’s a vision for a fairer, more player-centric gaming ecosystem. Congratulations @joeysats, you’ve won 500 USDT!
The Spacecoin Writing Contest: Sponsor Category Winners 🎉
Our generous sponsors made this contest possible, and their dedicated categories truly showcased the specific innovations driving their projects forward.
Spacecoin
The top-voted #spacecoin story is “To Become a Type-1 Civilization, We Need a Type-1 Internet, and Spacecoin Might Be the Key” by @hukanmpe. This profound article links the very concept of civilizational progress to internet infrastructure. @hukanmpe highlights the stark reality that billions still lack internet access and argues that Spacecoin’s satellite-based decentralized network could bridge this critical gap, moving us closer to a truly global, interconnected civilization. It’s a grand vision, powerfully articulated. Congratulations @hukanmpe, you’ve won 2000 USDT!
Creditcoin
@rissa’s “Loans, Scams, and the Blockchain Way Out” wins the #creditcoin category. This piece tackles a crucial real-world problem: the broken traditional loan systems in low-income regions that deny fair access to credit. @rissa expertly explains how Creditcoin uses blockchain to build transparent, tamper-proof credit histories, empowering borrowers and providing lenders with reliable data. It’s a compelling argument for blockchain as a tool for financial liberation. Congratulations @rissa, you’ve won 2000 USDT!
Gluwa
Finally, “Gluwa – The Iron ‘Lady’ of Global Financial Inclusion,” by @nebojsaneshatodorovic is the top-voted story in the #gluwa category. @nebojsaneshatodorovic paints Gluwa as a champion for the more than half of the world’s population still unbanked. The article details how Gluwa, leveraging its blockchain network Creditcoin, is making strides to serve financially underserved countries by offering access to credit and essential financial services. It’s a testament to technology’s power to foster true global inclusion. Congratulations @nebojsaneshatodorovic, you’ve won 2000 USDT!
Congratulations once again to all our incredible winners and every single participant! Your thoughtful contributions have not only made this contest a resounding success but have also enriched the discourse around these vital technologies. Whether you were here for the groundbreaking science, the speculative fiction, or the practical applications in between, these writers have something truly special for you. Make sure to follow their inspiring work right here on HackerNoon!
For our triumphant winners, claiming your well-deserved HackerNoon Writing Contest Prize is simple. Just contact asher@hackernoon.com and yes-reply@hackernoon.com, sharing the email ID and/or wallet address attached to your winning HackerNoon account. We’ll validate your claim and send a form for your details, with winnings distributed in 2-4 weeks after completion. Please remember, you must contact us within 60 days of this announcement!
And for those already buzzing with ideas for the next big story: Want to feature on our next winners’ list? Be sure to subscribe to the HackerNoon Contests page to stay up to date on the latest writing contest info. The future is unwritten, and we can’t wait to see what you write next!
