Another Bitcoin meetup wrapped up in Pune 🚀₿ On 31-Oct-2026, we hosted a session on “How Bitcoin Reaches Consensus Without Trust ₿". Although only 3 people joined, we made the most of it. Instead of sticking strictly to the presentation, we had deeper conversations around Bitcoin, open-source projects, and how to start contributing. It was especially encouraging to hear that some attendees have joined cohorts like Mastering Bitcoin and Mastering Lightning, using these meetups as a starting point to learn, build, and begin their journey in the Bitcoin ecosystem. Sometimes smaller meetups lead to the most meaningful conversations. Looking forward to the next one ⚡

Congrats to all friends at @ISMOSxyz for the new rebrand 🎉 Language shouldn't decide who gets to build Bitcoin. That's what we've seen in India too. Proud to share the mission and walk along the same mission. At Bitshala, we are excited to see ISMOS take it to more countries and more languages. 🧡

From three days of BOSS Summit in Jaipur to two days on the Bitshala FOSS Stage at @thebitmela, it has been quite a journey. We went deep into the work: Bitcoin Core, wallet development, Lightning, privacy, Nostr, cryptography, security, open-source infrastructure, and much more. We saw developers take apart difficult problems, share code, run workshops, test ideas, and put their projects in front of the community. Few highlights: We mined testnet coins with @powdae, raced to claim 36,000 sats through Coconut Wallet, explored fuzzing Lightning implementations with @nishant282003, built with CDK, saw the Formstr stack by @HeyFormstr, CryoBrick by @apalok21, OpenSwap by @citadelfoss, and witnessed the official launch of Shroud by @theanmolsharma_. We also had conversations that matter just as much: how to teach Bitcoin, build stronger communities, create sustainable businesses, protect privacy, and make self-custody accessible to more people. And perhaps the best part was watching people learn from one another. First files uploaded to Formster Drive, sats earned, questions asked, ideas challenged, connections made, and new friendships formed. To every speaker who shared their work, every builder who showed up with something to demonstrate, every attendee who asked a question, every volunteer who made things happen, and everyone who spent these five days with us: thank you 🙇‍♂️ This is what building an ecosystem looks like. Not just big announcements or finished products, but people showing up, sharing knowledge, helping each other, and putting in the work. We came together to build, and we leave with more ideas, stronger connections, and plenty of work still ahead. The stages are coming down, but the building continues. Until next time 🚀🧡

Now on the Bitshala FOSS Stage: Abhay Raizada showcasing the @HeyFormstr stack. What if the tools you use for your work didn't depend on a central platform holding your data? Formstr is building a suite of decentralised applications on Nostr: • Formstr: Create forms and collect responses • Mailstr: Email tied to your Nostr identity • Formstr Pages: Private documents and notes • Formstr Calendar: Manage events, schedules and bookings • Formstr Drive: Store, organise and share files One Nostr identity across the suite. Your keys control access, your data is encrypted, and you choose the relays that store it. An open-source alternative to handing your entire digital workspace to centralised platforms. Explore: https://t.co/JGYC3FSaGz

Now on the Bitshala FOSS Stage @apalok21, @bala_1116 , & @psam join @SetuSaurabh for a discussion on what it actually takes to build a business in the Bitcoin ecosystem. From identifying real problems and building useful products to finding customers, navigating challenges, and figuring out business models, this panel brings practical perspectives from people building in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Now on the Bitshala FOSS Stage: What Does It Take to Teach Bitcoin? @SetuSaurabh, @qlrddev, and @adi_shankara_, join @Digvijay_BTC for a discussion on Bitcoin education initiatives across different regions. What approaches work? What challenges do educators face on the ground? How do we make Bitcoin easier to understand and create meaningful learning opportunities for more people? A conversation about the realities of teaching Bitcoin, sharing knowledge, and building a stronger path forward for Bitcoin education.

Self-Custody: The Risks, the Rewards, the Best Tools @andywong311, @apalok21, and @qlrddev are joining @Digvijay_BTC for a discussion on one of Bitcoin's most important principles: Holding your own keys What does self-custody actually involve? What are the risks of managing your own keys, and what tools can make the process safer and easier? From wallet choices to backup strategies and security trade-offs, the panel is exploring what it takes to take full responsibility for your bitcoin.

Now on the Bitshala FOSS Stage: Building Bitcoin Communities: What Works, What Doesn't A panel bringing together @amolutxo, @PlebPiccoloJr, Yo, and @mineey_2100, moderated by @_paperpsych. Building a Bitcoin community from the grassroots takes more than organising meetups. It takes consistent education, local initiatives, engaged contributors, and an understanding of what actually works on the ground. The panel is discussing different approaches to community building, the challenges involved, and the lessons learned along the way.

Day 2 at the @thebitmela FOSS Stage starts with @_paperpsych Back for another day of conversations, ideas, and hands-on work from people building in the open. We're picking up where we left off. More Bitcoin, more open-source development, and more knowledge shared directly by the builders.

Next we have Abhay Raizada on Breaking Out of the Bitcoin & Nostr Bubble How do you stay true to the principles while making the project work in the real world? Building an open-source project is one thing. Turning it into something sustainable is another. Abhay shares the realities of balancing community ideals with business practicalities, and the difficult decisions that shape a project as it grows.