Gitcoin on Bitcoin Grants Application

Grants & Incentives
,
1

Suggested Title:
Gitcoin on Bitcoin using Rootstock

Suggested Description:
Integrating Rootstock smart contracts into Geyser Grants to enable trustless, matching-based grant disbursements for the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Project Name:
Geyser Grants

Submission Date:
2025-03-26

Founder Name:
Mick Morucci (CEO)

  • LinkedIn: Mick Morucci - Geyser | LinkedIn
  • X: @ metamick14
    Mick is a serial entrepreneur and Bitcoin advocate with deep experience in launching Bitcoin-native products. Previously, he worked in product strategy and growth roles in both startups and NGOs across Europe and Latin America.

Award Amount:
$20,000

Project Stage:
Working product with active users; expanding functionality through Rootstock integration.

Sector:
Crowdfunding / Grants / Payments / Infrastructure

Links to Deck / Video / Images:

Links to socials:

  • X: @ geyserfund
  • geyser.fund

Description:
Geyser Grants is a Bitcoin-native grant platform enabling decentralized, non-custodial funding for grassroots projects. With over 4 BTC distributed to 286 projects, 15 sponsors, and 1,500 community voters, it’s a proven concept.

We now want to take it to the next level by:

  1. Creating Grants as a Service: turning this into an actual product that anyone can use to launch their grants. This could be any player in the Bitcoin or Rootstock ecosystem.
  2. Integrate Rootstock smart contracts for trustless matching grants. This integration will allow funds to be escrowed in a Rootstock smart contract and released only when matching or milestone conditions are met. Contributions will be bridged between RBTC and Lightning, ensuring non-custodial, global disbursement to creators.

Mission:
To build a decentralized, transparent, and global funding layer for Bitcoin adoption and innovation.

Product:
Geyser Grants is a permissionless grant platform built on Bitcoin and Lightning. The new feature powered by Rootstock will:

  • Enable anyone to create a grant and pledge funds towards it.
  • Escrow grant funds in a smart contract.
  • Enable milestone-based disbursement.
  • Bridge funds from Bitcoin to RBTC and back to Lightning.
  • Ensure trustless and fair release of matched funds.

Value to Rootstock:

  • Demonstrates real-world use of Rootstock smart contracts.
  • Drives visibility and developer interest in RBTC.
  • Offers Rootstock a ready-made platform to distribute its own grants in a trustless, transparent way.

Synergies:

  • Potential to integrate with other Rootstock-native identity or DAO governance tools.
  • Could serve as infrastructure for Rootstock community grants and hackathons.

Team:

  • Mick Morucci (CEO) – Strategy, product, and Bitcoin ecosystem expert.
  • Stelios (CTO) – Smart contracts and infrastructure lead. X: @ steliosats
  • Sajal (Frontend Developer) – Frontend and user experience. X: @ sajald77

Traction:

  • 4 BTC distributed to 286 projects
  • 15 sponsors and 1,500 voters in previous grant rounds
  • 2,200 monthly active users
  • 70,000+ total users
  • Winner of Bitcoin Miami Pitch Competition 2023
  • Raised $550k in pre-seed funding (Hivemind Ventures, Lightning Ventures, angels)

Roadmap:

  • Month 1: Finalize smart contract architecture and testnet deployment
  • Month 2: Integrate RBTC-to-Lightning disbursement mechanism
  • Month 3: Deploy to Rootstock mainnet, open public testing, and execute first milestone-based disbursement

Conclusion:
Geyser Grants is already empowering Bitcoin adoption through decentralized crowdfunding. This proposal will unlock a new layer of trustless, smart contract-based funding powered by Rootstock. It’s a proven project with a clear path to impact—and this grant will turn a working idea into a working system that the entire Bitcoin and Rootstock ecosystem can benefit from.

3 Likes
2

Really like this proposal. Bringing a Gitcoin-style grants model to Bitcoin using Rootstock smart contracts is a strong idea, and the Geyser team clearly has both traction and experience. The video demo was great. That kind of communication sets a great example for future applicants.

Given the mid-sized ask, some light accountability (like milestone updates or a short post-launch report) would be helpful. It’s important we keep setting good standards for future grants.

Would love to see more voices join the conversation before this moves forward. This integration could be especially relevant for active builders within Rootstock Collective, so it’d be great to hear what others have in mind.

2 Likes
3

Thanks @Kaf_StableLab!

Definitely agree that this could be valuable to builders within Rootstock collective, to leverage additional grants, or even create different types of grants.

Keen to keep getting feedback on the idea, as we start doing more user/product research. Also keen to explore Rootstock Collective to learn more, so the application process here has been really helpful.

Looking forward to more feedback and hearing what might be the next steps.

1 Like
4

Fully support this proposal. Saw this team at BTC Prague. Very Bitcoin aligned and supporting some really important initiatives. Will throw my support behind the project once live in voting.

2 Likes