I’ve been following the development activity around the Sign protocol for a while now. One thing I noticed is that the team keeps organizing hackathons where developers actually build real technology. I like that approach because it shows the focus is on building, not just talking about ideas.
They often highlight real-world examples too. For instance, the Bhutan NDI hackathon produced more than 13 applications centered around national digital identity. Some of those apps were aimed at government use cases while others explored possibilities for the private sector. Seeing actual products come out of these events makes the whole thing feel more practical and grounded.
Another thing that stood out to me is the structure of these hackathons. It doesn’t feel like random tools being thrown at participants. There is documentation, access to the protocol, and sometimes mentorship that helps guide builders in the right direction. In many hackathons you’re basically dropped in and told to figure everything out on your own. Here, if you really pay attention, you can learn something meaningful instead of just building a quick demo that disappears the next day.
That said, I’m not someone who buys into the typical hackathon hype. People often act like you just show up and suddenly everything works out perfectly. In reality, most events are messy. Things break, ideas are incomplete, and teams are rushing to finish before the deadline. Only a small number of projects really succeed, while many fade away after the event.
For me, the real benefit is the experience itself. Working under pressure forces you to learn quickly, and you get the chance to meet people who are genuinely trying to build something.
Still, this particular ecosystem feels a little different. At least from what I’m seeing, people are actually testing technology and shipping real work. It becomes easier to tell who is serious about building and who is just there for the vibes. That’s something you don’t see very often.
I’m keeping an eye on it—not because I think it’s perfect, but because it looks functional and active. That alone is enough to grab my attention. Whenever I get curious about a project, I prefer checking things myself instead of trusting hype. Watching what developers are actually building usually tells the real story.
For me the main focus has always been simple: learn, keep learning, and keep improving.