[2604] Rootstock Ecosystem Roadshow 2026

Grants & Incentives
1

Branding note. This proposal is designed so that all event presence and deliverables are fully branded as Rootstock Collective, including workshop titles, slide decks, onboarding QR flows, printed and digital materials, staff signage, and post-event content (recaps, photos/videos, and social posts). Rootstock Collective will be the visible umbrella brand representing the Rootstock ecosystem across every mileston.

Executive Summary

mimLABS proposes the Rootstock Ecosystem Roadshow 2026, a five-activation initiative to position Rootstock Collective as the visible ecosystem brand across strategic educational and ecosystem activations in Peru, Paraguay, Colombia, Argentina, and Spain.

The initiative will be delivered through:

  • Hands-on workshops

  • Wallet onboarding

  • Live transactions

  • Ecosystem presentations

  • Protocol demos

  • Guided on-chain actions tracked with a dedicated on-chain transaction tracking tool

Ecosystem showcased (examples):

  • Rootstock Collective

  • Money On Chain

  • Sovryn

  • Oku

  • Boltz

  • Asami

  • USDRIF / RIF on Chain

  • bexo wallet

  • Rabby Wallet

  • Trezor / Ledger

  • Kriptonmarket / NEXO (Buenbit) / Lemon / Ripio

  • Stargate / Symbiosis / Uniswap / layerbank, others

  • Other emerging protocols and key ecosystem players (as available per event)

Mission

To expand Rootstock’s visibility, adoption, and credibility in key regions of Latin America and Spain through real-world experiences and financial education powered by Bitcoin and Rootstock DeFi, with Rootstock Collective as the visible brand across all events and with measurable on-chain activity tracked through guided activations.

Team Background

Manuel Ferrari

Co-founder of Money On Chain protocol and mimLABS. President of ONG Bitcoin Argentina. Pioneer of Rootstock DeFi and Bitcoin-collateralized protocols. RootstockCollective Recognized Delegate.

LinkedIn

Franklin Roldán

CMO of mimLABS. Money On Chain contributor. Bitcoin community builder, growth strategist, and speaker at global crypto events.

LinkedIn

Total Grant Amount

$15,650 in USD-RIF and/or RBTC

Milestone 1 — Peru Blockchain Conference (Lima)

Date: June 20–21, 2026 (final date TBC with organizers)

Location: Lima, Peru

Website: https://perublockchainconference.com/

Description

Hands-on Rootstock onboarding and workshop activation in Lima, focused on community growth, ecosystem education, and real usage of Bitcoin DeFi tools.

Activities

  • Rootstock introduction and ecosystem walkthrough (Rootstock Collective-branded)

  • Wallet installation and onboarding

  • Live transactions (mint/redeem/swaps/lending)

  • Ecosystem protocol presentations (as available)

  • Q&A and post-event onboarding pathway

  • Guided on-chain action flow with wallet activation and transaction tracking

KPIs / Deliverables

  • 100 participants workshop

  • 80+ wallets installed with at least one guided action

  • 5+ ecosystem demos delivered live

  • 5k+ social reach through event and partner channels

Requested Funds

$4,350 ($2,500 sponsorship + $1,500 travel/logistics/operations + $350 gamification)

Milestone 2 — Acelerando Bitcoin (Asunción, Paraguay)

Date: August 12 & 14, 2026

Location: AsunciĂłn, Paraguay

Website: https://acelerandobitcoin.com/

Description

Rootstock Collective-branded workshop activation and onboarding at Acelerando Bitcoin, designed to convert event attendance into measurable on-chain activity across the Rootstock ecosystem.

Activities

  • Rootstock ecosystem presentation (Rootstock Collective-branded)

  • Wallet onboarding (QR-led flow)

  • Practical DeFi-on-Bitcoin workshop (stablecoins, swaps, lending/borrowing)

  • Live demos with ecosystem protocols (as available)

  • Community engagement and lead capture

  • Tracked on-chain action flow tied to showcased protocols

KPIs / Deliverables

  • 120 direct participants workshop

  • 100+ wallets installed

  • 4+ ecosystem protocols featured (demos or showcases)

  • 3k+ social media reach via co-promotion and community channels

Requested Funds

$2,850 ($1,500 sponsorship + $1,000 travel/logistics/operations + $350 gamification)

Milestone 3 — Cripto Latin Fest (Bogotá)

Date: August 26–28, 2026

Location: Bogotá, Colombia

Website: https://criptolatinfest.com/

Description

Rootstock educational activation focused on onboarding and ecosystem awareness at a high-visibility community crypto event in Colombia.

Activities

  • Rootstock ecosystem presentation (Rootstock Collective-branded)

  • Wallet onboarding (QR-led flow)

  • Introductory DeFi-on-Bitcoin workshop

  • Live demos with ecosystem protocols (as available)

  • Community engagement and lead capture

  • Tracked guided actions to measure wallet activation and transaction execution

KPIs / Deliverables

  • 120 direct participants workshop

  • 100+ wallets installed

  • 4+ ecosystem protocols featured (demos or showcases)

  • 3k+ social media reach via co-promotion and community channels

Requested Funds

$2,550 ($1,000 sponsorship + $1,200 travel/logistics/operations + $350 gamification)

Milestone 4 — Watch Out Bitcoin (Madrid)

Date: October 2–4, 2026

Location: Madrid, Spain

Website: https://wobitcoin.org/

Description

Immersive workshop at a Bitcoin-only event focused on education, live demos, and practical onboarding into Bitcoin DeFi on Rootstock.

Activities

  • Rootstock introduction and ecosystem walkthrough (Rootstock Collective-branded)

  • Wallet onboarding

  • Live demos with Rootstock ecosystem protocols (as available)

  • Bitcoin DeFi use cases (stablecoins, swaps, lending/borrowing)

  • Q&A and onboarding follow-up

  • Guided on-chain action flow with tracked completions

KPIs / Deliverables

  • 75 direct participants workshop

  • 70 wallets installed with at least one on-chain action

  • 8+ ecosystem protocols/partners featured (demos, slides, or showcases)

  • 5k+ social media impressions via event and partner support

Requested Funds

$3,550 ($1,200 sponsorship + $2,000 travel/logistics/operations + $350 gamification)

Milestone 5 — Rootstock Ecosystem Day at UCEMA University (Buenos Aires)

Date: TBA (aligned with the LABITCONF week in 2026)

Location: UCEMA University (Buenos Aires, Argentina, in collaboration with UCEMA Blockchain Club)

Website: N/A

Description

Half-day Rootstock Collective-branded event where Rootstock ecosystem projects present and showcase their solutions through live demos and hands-on activities. This activation is designed to capture high-intent attendees who are already in Buenos Aires during the broader Bitcoin week window, maximizing attendance and visibility through strategic timing and partner promotion.

Activities

  • Intro to Rootstock and Bitcoin DeFi (Rootstock Collective-branded)

  • Wallet installation and onboarding

  • Live Boltz swaps

  • Transactions: minting DOC, redeeming BTC/rBTC, lending/borrowing with Sovryn

  • Presentations from key Rootstock ecosystem protocols (as available)

  • Tracked guided actions to measure participation and on-chain execution during the event

KPIs / Deliverables

  • 100 participants (target audience: developers, students, Bitcoiners, and DeFi enthusiasts)

  • 80+ wallets installed and used during the workshop

  • 5 ecosystem protocols showcased through live demos/presentations

  • 10k social media reach via UCEMA and partner promotion

Requested Funds

$2,350 ($2,000 sponsorship + $0 travel/logistics/operations + $350 gamification)

Timeline

  • June 20–21, 2026 — Peru Blockchain Conference (Lima, Peru)

  • August 12 & 14, 2026 — Acelerando Bitcoin (AsunciĂłn, Paraguay)

  • August 26–28, 2026 — Cripto Latin Fest (Bogotá, Colombia)

  • October 2–4, 2026 — Watch Out Bitcoin (Madrid, Spain)

  • LABITCONF week window in 2026 — Rootstock Ecosystem Day at UCEMA (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Technical Specs

Actions tracked through a dedicated on-chain transaction tracking tool

To support gamification and drive active participation during workshops, we have developed a custom tool that directly validates on-chain transactions executed by users in real time. This allows us to ensure that participants complete the practical exercises while enabling accurate tracking of interactions across the ecosystem.

Based on this validated activity, rewards can be distributed in a structured and transparent manner within a reasonable timeframe after each event.

The tool can be explored here:

Live demos and transactions

  • Wallet installation and setup

  • Boltz swaps

  • DOC minting/redeeming and other applicable stablecoin flows

  • Lending/borrowing with Sovryn

  • Basic on-chain interactions for first-time users

Tracked guided actions

  • Custom action flows per event/workshop

  • Actions tracked through a dedicated on-chain transaction tracking tool

  • Incentive distribution to drive real on-chain interactions

  • Basic reporting: wallets activated, transactions executed, and completions per activation

Ecosystem integration

Rootstock Collective, Money On Chain, Boltz, Sovryn Asami, USDRIF, RIF on Chain, bexo wallet, Rabby Wallet, Kriptonmarket, Lemon, Trezor, Ledger, Stargate, Symbiosis, and other relevant ecosystem participants depending on availability and active integrations.

Educational content

  • Rootstock fundamentals (depending on audience profile)

  • DeFi on Bitcoin: Rootstock ecosystem introduction

  • Guided onboarding pathways for users, builders, and partners

Value Prop for Rootstock

  • Brand visibility: Rootstock Collective presence across Peru, Paraguay, Colombia, Argentina, and Spain

  • Community growth: ecosystem showcased through five strategic activations/events in 2026

  • Credibility: Rootstock positioned as a practical Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem through real use cases and live demos

  • Cross-ecosystem exposure: multiple protocols, wallets, and exchanges represented under a unified Rootstock Collective narrative

  • User acquisition: scalable in-person onboarding path with guided transactions and measurable on-chain tracking

Synergies

  • Collaboration with RootstockLabs, protocol teams, and regional organizations (including ONG Bitcoin Argentina)

  • Partnership with UCEMA Blockchain Club for local academic and community reach

  • Coordination with wallets and exchanges (Kriptonmarket, Lemon, Ripio, bexo wallet, etc.)

  • Support from mimLABS for growth, content, and ecosystem outreach

  • Continuity with Rootstock Collective’s grassroots adoption mission

Deliverables / Product (Updated)

  • ~515 direct participants reached across workshops and activations

  • ~26,000+ people reached via social media and partner/event amplification

  • 430+ wallet downloads and guided actions (swap, mint, redeem, borrow, lend)

  • Measured on-chain activity generated through tracked guided actions

  • Cross-ecosystem exposure for Rootstock protocols and partners under Rootstock Collective branding

  • Stronger Rootstock Collective presence in Peru, Paraguay, Colombia, Argentina, and Spain

  • Educational content and onboarding pathways for follow-up

  • Five Rootstock Collective-branded activations/workshops with hands-on adoption focus

Budget Clarification

Clarification. All operational expenses requested in this proposal correspond exclusively to travel, logistics, and event execution costs. No personnel time, salaries, consulting fees, or team honoraria are being charged as part of this grant.

Budget Summary Table

image
image802Ă—382 37.7 KB

image
image778Ă—249 11.6 KB

Risk Management & Execution Notes

Dates pending confirmation. Some events still list final dates as TBA (for example, Peru final confirmation and the UCEMA date). Mitigation: confirm dates with organizers and partners before payments/logistics and maintain quarterly operational flexibility.

Protocol/partner availability for live demos. Not all ecosystem partners may be physically present at every event. Mitigation: secure a guaranteed core demo stack (Rootstock Collective + Money On Chain + Boltz + Sovryn, bexo wallet) and add additional partners based on availability.

Post-event conversion risk. Attendance and onboarding do not automatically convert into continued ecosystem usage. Mitigation: execute a structured 30/60/90-day follow-up plan with resources, online sessions, and community re-engagement.

On-chain tracking execution risk. Tracking complexity or onboarding friction could reduce completions. Mitigation: keep guided actions lightweight and first-time-user friendly, provide on-site support, and pre-test flows prior to each milestone.

30 / 60 / 90 Day Follow-up Plan

30 days post-event

  • Event recap (photos, clips, and highlights)

  • Onboarding resources sent to captured leads

  • Invitations to community channels (Telegram/Discord/newsletter)

60 days post-event

  • Online follow-up session (Q&A / advanced demo)

  • Re-engagement of onboarded users

  • Identification of high-interest builders and partners

90 days post-event

  • Continuity report (participation, activation, and opportunities)

  • Proposal for local next steps (meetup, technical workshop, or integration path)

  • Consolidated learnings for upcoming milestones

Conclusion

The Rootstock Ecosystem Roadshow 2026 leverages five high-impact activations and events to position Rootstock Collective as the visible ecosystem brand for Bitcoin DeFi adoption across Latin America and Spain.

Through hands-on onboarding, immersive workshops, live transactions, ecosystem showcases, and measurable on-chain activity supported by guided transaction flows, this initiative will onboard new users, strengthen communities, and expand Rootstock’s credibility as a reference ecosystem for Bitcoin-powered DeFi.

With Rootstock Collective support, the roadshow can deliver measurable regional impact and build sustainable adoption pathways beyond each event.

4 Likes
Rootstock Collective Governance at a Glance 26-05-07
2

Hi @Franklin , It is refreshing to see an event proposal with a structured 30/60/90-day follow-up plan rather than relying on vanity metrics like passive foot traffic. To ensure capital efficiency and sticky TVL we need to understand the exact mechanics of your conversion funnel.

Regarding the custom tracking tool, how do you plan to prevent attendees from simply farming the $350 gamification incentives during the workshop and immediately withdrawing their funds once the session ends? Furthermore, during your 60 and 90-day follow-up phases, what specific on-chain metrics will you be using to definitively prove that these onboarded users are retaining liquidity and actively returning to Rootstock protocols?

1 Like
3

Hi @Eren_DAOplomats, thank you — this is a core part of our design.

1. Preventing farming
We don’t use instant reward loops. Instead:

  • Multi-step on-chain actions (min. 2 protocols)

  • Delayed incentives (7–14 days)

  • Net position validation (not just transactions)

This discourages “farm & dump” behavior and promotes retention.

2. Retention metrics (60–90 days)
We track real behavior, not vanity metrics:

  • % of active wallets at 30/60/90 days

  • % of retained liquidity (DOC, lending, LP)

  • Re-engagement (repeat interactions)

  • Cohort-based TVL quality

  • Transaction frequency over time

3. Post-event strategy
We extend each cohort through partner-driven online initiatives:

  • Live webinars

  • On-chain campaigns (e.g., Galxe)

  • Educational follow-ups

These are not included in this budget, but are part of our standard execution model and have been run with ecosystem partners before.

Success definition:
Users who retain capital and repeatedly interact with Rootstock protocols over 60–90 days.

IMPORTANT: I’m also completely open to suggestions on how to make these activities truly successful for all partners and help Rootstock become even better known and more widely used.

Thank again for your comment, and I’m available to answer any further questions you may have. If anything is unclear, please let me know, and I’ll gladly try to explain it more clearly.

1 Like
4

Hello @Franklin , thank you so much for this strong, detailed, and structured proposal. It is very thorough and encouraging to see an initiative that prioritizes Rootstock Collective as the unified umbrella brand. This cohesion is vital for preventing ecosystem fragmentation.

We particularly appreciate the Budget Clarification section; the decision to exclude personnel salaries and honoraria demonstrates a high level of professional integrity and ensures that the grant is focused entirely on logistics and user acquisition.

To help strengthen the proposal and ensure long-term ROI for the Collective, we have a few points and questions:

1. Builder Routing & “What Comes Next”: In your response to DAOplomats, you mentioned that post-event strategies (webinars/campaigns) are part of your standard execution model. While these are great for general users, high-potential builders often require direct introductions and ecosystem routing rather than just educational follow-ups. As discussed recently on the forum regarding the Ipê Village event, there are discussions to create a standardized “Builder Follow-up Playbook” to bridge this gap.

  • Question: Since you are open to suggestions for partner success, would you commit to integrating this playbook into your post-event strategy to route high-potential startups directly into the Collective’s pipeline for grants, audit referrals, and technical support?

2. Formalizing the “Core Demo Stack”: To ensure this roadshow remains “successful for all partners” even when specific teams cannot attend, we recommend formalizing your core stack (MOC, Boltz, Sovryn) into a functional guarantee. Committing to a specific category stack: one wallet, one stablecoin, one swap, and one lending protocol - guarantees a consistent educational experience and ensures the full ecosystem narrative is presented at every single milestone.

  • Question: Would you be willing to formalize this “Minimum Core Stack” as a baseline deliverable for every milestone?

3. Verification of Retention Data: Thank you for the clarification provided to DAOplomats regarding how you discourage “farm & dump” behavior. Your focus on delayed incentives and net position validation is a strong technical approach. To ensure the DAO can see the results of these efforts, we would like to see these metrics formalized in the final milestone reporting.

  • Question: Can you confirm that the cohort-based TVL quality and the percentage of active wallets at the 90-day mark will be included as core deliverables in your final completion report?

4. Strategic Networking & Professional Footprint: The UCEMA activation in Buenos Aires capitalizes perfectly on the timing of LABITCONF week and the mimLABS team’s extensive experience within the LATAM Bitcoin community. This presents a unique opportunity to expand Rootstock’s footprint beyond the typical enthusiast demographic.

  • Question: Beyond students and enthusiasts, do you have a plan to specifically target local service providers or professional operators during this window to broaden the ecosystem’s reach in Argentina?

Thks, and we look forward to the development of this interesting grant proposal!

5

Have any of other delegates been able to access and view the MOC Workshop tool? We turned off our VPN, but still getting blocked? @Franklin , I’m guessing that it’s on our end, but thought we would post in case it’s a common issue

image
image984Ă—600 11.3 KB

6

Additional thoughts, @Franklin , can you provide more details of what the crypto/bitcoin opportunity market potential is in these countries? I.e. how entrenched is Rootstock (brand awareness and existing RT builders) in these countries/conference cities. Other than selection based upon sponsorship of existing scheduled events, can you provide a “on the ground” perspective of what the opportunity and weaknesses are in these areas for growth potential? Tks!

7

Please try in: MOC Workshop — On-chain Quest

1 Like
8

Thanks for the question — happy to provide a more grounded, on-the-ground perspective across these markets.

From a macro standpoint, Latin America is one of the fastest-growing crypto regions globally, with over 57 million users and ~12% adoption rate, driven by inflation, financial instability, and demand for alternative financial systems . This creates a strong baseline for Bitcoin-native solutions like Rootstock, but the level of maturity and awareness varies significantly by country.

Paraguay

Paraguay is an emerging but highly strategic market. The presence of large-scale Bitcoin mining operations, powered by abundant hydroelectric energy, has created a strong foundational layer of Bitcoin awareness and infrastructure. However, the developer ecosystem and DeFi usage are still underdeveloped.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Opportunity: Position Rootstock early as the Bitcoin DeFi layer before the ecosystem matures.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Weakness: Limited local builder community and low DeFi penetration.

Spain

Spain represents one of the strongest opportunities from a developer and capital perspective. Based on our direct experience running workshops, there is a high-quality builder ecosystem and technically sophisticated audience, especially aligned with Bitcoin principles.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Opportunity: Convert developers and high-income users already active in crypto into Rootstock builders and BTCFi users.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Weakness: Strong competition from Ethereum and other ecosystems already well established.

Peru

Peru is still an underpenetrated crypto market, especially in terms of Bitcoin DeFi and developer activity.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Opportunity: This is a positioning play — Rootstock can become one of the first Bitcoin DeFi ecosystems with real visibility.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Weakness: Lower awareness, smaller builder base, and less mature ecosystem compared to neighboring countries.

Colombia (Crypto Latin Fest)

Colombia is a regional hub with strong event traction and cross-border influence. Events like Crypto Latin Fest attract not only Colombians but also users from Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Opportunity: High user acquisition potential and regional expansion leverage.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Weakness: Users are active in crypto, but not yet deeply connected to Bitcoin DeFi specifically.

Argentina

Argentina is arguably the strongest crypto adoption market in the region, with sustained real usage driven by economic conditions . It is also historically one of the core hubs for Rootstock and its ecosystem.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Opportunity: Deepen adoption, activate builders, and scale existing ecosystem momentum.
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Weakness: Market is competitive and already exposed to multiple DeFi alternatives.

Overall Strategic View

  • Expansion markets: Peru (low awareness, high positioning upside)

  • Growth & conversion markets: Colombia and Paraguay (strong Bitcoin base, low BTCFi penetration)

  • Core ecosystem markets: Argentina and Spain (existing builders, high-quality users)

From an on-the-ground perspective, Rootstock is not yet deeply entrenched in most of these markets, even where Bitcoin adoption is strong. This is precisely the opportunity:

  • Bitcoin awareness already exists

  • Users are active

  • But Bitcoin DeFi (BTCFi) is still underdeveloped

The goal of this roadmap is to bridge that gap — moving users from passive Bitcoin holders into active participants in the Rootstock ecosystem, while simultaneously onboarding new builders.

1 Like
9

Hi… I’ll now address your questions.**

  1. Builder Routing & “What Comes Next”**

Our core objective is to bring Rootstock directly to end users, where we naturally engage a diverse audience: developers, students, entrepreneurs, and business owners. This creates an organic funnel for identifying high-potential builders.

We are fully open to integrating the proposed Builder Follow-up Playbook into our post-event strategy. In fact, we see this as a key enhancement.
We commit to actively identifying high-potential teams during the workshops and routing them into the Collective’s pipeline — including introductions for grants, technical support, and ecosystem partners.

2. Minimum Core Stack

Yes — we fully agree with this approach and are willing to formalize it.

Our intention has always been to present a holistic view of the Rootstock ecosystem, ensuring that users understand how different components interact in a real-world scenario.
Committing to a Minimum Core Stack (wallet, stablecoin, swap, lending protocol) as a baseline deliverable strengthens consistency across all activations and ensures that the full ecosystem narrative is always represented.

3. Retention Metrics & TVL

While we cannot guarantee specific TVL outcomes — as these ultimately depend on user behavior and real adoption — our efforts are strongly focused on quality onboarding and meaningful usage.

We are aligned with the importance of transparency and accountability.
We can commit to including cohort-based analysis and wallet activity metrics (including 90-day active wallets) in the final reporting, as a way to demonstrate retention quality and real engagement beyond initial activation.

Our approach prioritizes:

  • Strong user education

  • Practical, hands-on usage

  • Real use-case discovery

We believe sustainable TVL growth is a direct consequence of these factors.

4. Strategic Networking & Professional Footprint (Argentina)

Beyond students and enthusiasts, we do have a strategy to expand into a more professional and service-oriented audience.

Based on our experience in Spain, one effective approach is to bring ecosystem partners (such as wallets, exchanges, and service providers) to actively participate in the workshops — allowing them to present real solutions and engage directly with users.

We plan to replicate and expand this model in Argentina by:

  • Involving partners such as wallets and on/off-ramps

  • Encouraging local service providers to participate

  • Creating spaces where professionals can explore real integration opportunities with Rootstock

This approach allows us to go beyond education and move into practical adoption and business-level engagement.

1 Like
10

Fabulous, that worked, thank you!

11

Hi @Franklin , thanks for sharing the Rootstock Ecosystem Roadshow 2026. I can see the evolution from last year, especially with the introduction of on chain tracking, more structured flows and a more intentional onboarding funnel.

Before supporting a larger rollout in 2026, I’d like to anchor a few concerns based on what we observed in 2025 (even though I didn’t participate in the vote last year).

From the 2025 report, onboarding and interaction metrics reached only ~50% of the original targets. I understand the shift toward smaller, more targeted formats, which makes sense directionally. However, do you have quantified data from 2025 showing that smaller workshops materially outperformed larger events in terms of conversion?

Since 2026 expands both scope (more countries) and budget, it would be important to confirm that the core onboarding model is already validated.

I do see the tracking tool as a meaningful upgrade compared to last year. Very impressive!

On expansion: 2026 includes new markets Peru, Paraguay, and Colombia, which is interesting. Could you share what informed this decision? Why expand instead of doubling down on the highest performing regions from 2025?

On budget: in 2025, $6.5K was approved but ~$8.9K was executed (+34%). For 2026, the request is ~$15.6K (~2.4x increase). How have you adjusted budgeting assumptions based on last year’s overrun? (I know its more scopes but would love to learn more)

Thanks!

12

Hi, thanks for the thoughtful feedback — these are very valid points and I appreciate the opportunity to clarify.

On 2025 performance and workshop vs large event conversion

In 2025, a significant part of our initial projections was based on overall event attendance provided by organizers. However, one key learning was that workshop capacity — not total event size — is the real constraint and conversion driver.

Workshops operate within fixed physical limits (rooms, seating, time slots), which naturally reduces volume but increases depth of engagement. Based on our experience:

  • Smaller, hands-on workshop formats allowed direct, one-on-one interaction

  • Users were able to complete real actions (wallet setup, transactions, protocol interaction)

  • This significantly reduced the learning curve compared to passive exposure (e.g., booths or branding)

While 2025 did not yet include fully structured on-chain tracking, qualitatively we observed that users participating in workshops showed much stronger intent and understanding than those reached through broader event exposure.

For 2026, this is precisely what we are formalizing:

  • Focusing only on workshop-level participants (realistic capacity-based metrics)

  • Introducing on-chain tracking to quantify conversion and post-event behavior

  • Structuring participation into time-based cohorts per session, allowing clearer data segmentation

This means the 2026 model is not just an iteration — it is a measurement-driven evolution of the onboarding funnel.

On expansion to new markets (Peru, Paraguay, Colombia)

The expansion is not arbitrary — it is based on strategic observations and direct experience:

  • Crypto Latin Fest (Colombia):
    We attended this ecosystem previously and identified strong developer interest and high-quality audience density in Bogotá, one of the most important tech hubs in LATAM.

  • Paraguay:
    A market with high Bitcoin adoption and mining activity, but still underexposed to DeFi on Bitcoin. This creates a strong opportunity for Rootstock positioning.

  • Peru:
    A growing ecosystem with lower saturation of competing blockchain narratives, making it a strategic entry point for early community formation.

Additionally, we made deliberate optimization decisions:

  • We did not repeat Chile, as it underperformed relative to expectations in 2025

  • We prioritized markets with stronger upside in builder and user acquisition

So this is not expansion for scale alone — it is reallocation toward higher potential regions.

On budget increase and 2025 overrun

You are correct that 2025 execution exceeded the initial budget (~+34%). This was largely due to real-world adjustments during execution, including logistics and event dynamics.

For 2026, we have made several improvements:

  1. More accurate forecasting

    • Based on real workshop capacity and historical constraints (not total attendance assumptions)

  2. Negotiated sponsorships

    • We secured discounted sponsor rates across events, leveraging existing relationships

  3. Clear separation of cost drivers

    • Logistics and operations

    • Gamification and incentives (new component)

  4. Introduction of gamification (new budget component)

    • This did not exist in 2025

    • It is now a core mechanism to drive on-chain interaction and measurable engagement

The increase (~2.4x) reflects:

  • More events and geographies

  • Larger, more structured execution

  • Inclusion of on-chain incentive mechanisms

Importantly:

  • No personnel salaries or honoraria are included

  • The budget is strictly focused on **execution, user acquisition, and engagement

    On gamification and onboarding strategy**

    A key evolution for 2026 is the introduction of a transaction-validation tool that:

    • Tracks real user activity on-chain during workshops

    • Enables reward distribution based on verified actions

    • Allows us to analyze whether users continue interacting with the ecosystem post-event

    This directly addresses one of the biggest challenges:

    Moving users from centralized exchange behavior into self-custody and DeFi on Bitcoin

    Gamification is not just an incentive layer — it is a behavioral bridge:

    • Users are guided step-by-step

    • They perform real transactions

    • They experience the ecosystem hands-on

      I hope I’ve answered your questions. I look forward to your comments. Thanks!

1 Like
13

Hello @Franklin , thank you so much for your thorough and thoughtful responses to my questions and those of the other delegates.

It is very encouraging to see your formal commitment to the “Minimum Core Stack” and the integration of the “Builder Follow-up Playbook.” By moving from brand-specific demos to functional categories (Wallet, Stablecoin, Swap, Lending), we ensure a consistent educational standard that survives any individual partner’s availability.

We also want to highlight a few points from your recent clarifications based upon your learnings from the 2025 events (which are very insightful!):

  • Onboarding Depth vs. Breadth: Your insight that workshop capacity - not total event attendance - is the true driver of conversion is vital. It justifies the shift toward smaller, high-engagement formats and makes the 2026 projections feel grounded in reality rather than hype.

  • Strategic Market Reallocation: The decision to move away from underperforming regions like Chile in favor of high-upside markets like Paraguay (leveraging its mining community) and Colombia (leveraging its developer density) shows strong strategic agility, and we agree is a good decision.

  • Retention Transparency: We appreciate your commitment to including 90-day cohort analysis and active wallet metrics in the final report. This data is essential for the Collective to evaluate the long-term stickiness of the onboarding funnel. A very strong proposal.

One final recommendation as you move toward execution: Given that your strategy for Argentina involves bringing in local service providers and exchanges, we encourage you to document these “Business-level engagements” as a separate KPI in your reports. Identifying how many professional operators or local fintechs express interest in Rootstock integration would provide the DAO with a clear view of our growth in the professional sector.

We are supportive of this proposal’s direction and look forward to seeing the measurable on-chain impact of the 2026 Roadshow, if approved. Tks!

1 Like
14

I really appreciate your comments and questions, as they help clarify the objectives and scope of the proposal. I’ll take your suggestion on board, and we’ll look into it so we can provide valuable information to the DAO. :saluting_face:

1 Like
15

Thanks, @Franklin , we also just noted on the MOC Workshop — On-chain Quest tool, that one of the quests includes depositing on Tropykus. With the sunsetting of Tropykus and this recent post by the team, we wanted to point this out, in order to adjust the quest action. Thks!

16

Yes, that’s correct. Now we need to update the system so it can validate deposits in Sovryn. We’re already working on that—thanks for pointing it out.

2 Likes
17

Hi @Franklin ! We have a question about this:

What kind of showcase are you planning to do with these wallets?
We just checked, and at least in Argentina, here’s the current status of these wallets regarding mejor Rootstock ecosystem tokens:

  • Nexo (Buenbit): Supports deposits and withdrawals of DoC, RIF and RIFUSD. Does not support rBTC
  • Lemon: Supports deposits and withdrawals of RIF. Does not support DoC, RIFUSD, or rBTC.
  • Ripio: Supports deposits and withdrawals of RIF. Does not support DoC, RIFUSD, or rBTC.

Edit: A similar question regarding Uniswap. We assume you’re referring to the OKU frontend, but we’d like to hear your input.

18

Hi, thank you very much for this question — it’s actually a great opportunity to clarify the scope and intention behind this part of the proposal.

The wallets and platforms mentioned (such as Nexo/Buenbit, Lemon, and Ripio) are not intended to be the core infrastructure of the workshop, but rather part of the broader user journey and ecosystem awareness.

What we are planning as a showcase is a practical, guided experience where users understand:

  1. How to enter the Rootstock ecosystem

    • Through bridges (e.g., Lightning → rBTC via Boltz)

    • Through swaps from other ecosystems (e.g., using DEX routes)

  2. How to interact directly on Rootstock

    • Minting DoC using Money On Chain

    • Lending/borrowing via Tropykus

    • Performing swaps and basic DeFi operations

  3. How external wallets/exchanges fit into the flow

    • Platforms like Lemon, Ripio, or Buenbit are shown as access points where users may already hold assets (e.g., RIF), helping reduce friction in onboarding.

    • Even if support is partial (e.g., lack of rBTC or DoC), they are useful to illustrate real-world constraints and interoperability gaps, which is also educational.

  4. Cross-ecosystem entry points

    • For example, using bridges or swap routes from ecosystems like Uniswap (via supported networks) to move value into Rootstock for example DOC

    • This helps users understand that Rootstock is not isolated, but part of a broader multi-chain environment.

      I forgot to mention that users can also hold their RIF tokens on Binance

1 Like
19

Thanks for the clarification.

I’m sure you’re already aware of this, but I’m posting it on the forum in case it helps someone else. Jumper is a DEX and bridge aggregator that supports Rootstock and many of its tokens (DoC, rBTC, RIF, RIFUSD, USDT0, USDT.e—Stargate-bridged—USDC. e -Stargate bridged-, WETH -Stargate bridged-, MOC, and several others), so it’s possible to fund a Rootstock wallet with a wide variety of tokens using your funds from practically any EVM network. This isn’t an ad lol, it’s the tool I use, precisely in reference to what you mentioned that Rootstock isn’t an isolated ecosystem, but quite the opposite.

image
image1317Ă—830 100 KB

In this regard, SEEDGov is a Latin America-based organization, particularly in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where most of the team lives, including the team leader of the Rootstock delegation (Marian, he is a lawyer and has been part of Argentina’s crypto ecosystem for a long time).

So, if this proposal is approved, you can count on us for any kind of collaboration for the event at UCEMA University and at LABITCONF. I think it would be a great opportunity for builders and delegates to come together and work collaboratively to strengthen and leverage our efforts for the benefit of Rootstock. Feel free to message us via DM on the forum!

20

Yes, you’re absolutely right—JUMPER is also one of those options, and we’re considering it. For these workshops, part of the plan is to provide attendees with the presentation, which includes links and forums where they can go to look up information and delve much deeper into the subject.

Thank you for sharing this information with us as well. The goal is definitely to bring together as many local partners as possible for the UCEMA event, as well as in any location where we have a presence.

2 Likes