"What is Bitspace?"
A FOSS hackerspace for Bitcoin, open protocols, privacy and freedom tech builders in India. It's open since July 2024, and operating out of Bangalore.
"Who works from here?"
Currently we've got: A Bitcoin Core developer. A cryptography engineer working on libsecp256k1. Nostr builders. A Stratum V2 core contributor. Designers working on bitcoin's UX. Infrastructure engineers. A high court lawyer working on Bitcoin policy in India. And a bitcoin startup founder.
"Apart from co-working, what else happens here?"
Events. All free. All Bitcoin-only.
These are the few common categories of events we host on a recurring basis:
BITDEVS: For technical people who are excited to dive deep into bitcoin technicals with developers who actually read the mailing lists, dissect what's happening in Bitcoin development. We discuss protocols like silent payments, Bolt12, script capabilities, cryptographic primitives, and so much more about whatever's being debated, built, or broken in bitcoin right now.
Hands-On Workshops: In these, you don't listen to a presentation. You build something. Set up and run your own hardened Bitcoin node. Assemble a Seed Signer. Walk through a real privacy setups step by step. You leave with something working on your machine, not just slides or concepts in your head.
CyberSwaraj: Our privacy and digital freedom series, created by two Bitspace regulars working on NOSTR. Each session digs into a real question, like how surveillance actually works, what censorship resistance looks like in practice, which tools you should be using and why you probably aren't. Hosted live at Bitspace and published on YouTube.
Bitcoinology: Our 101 event series dedicated to helping enthusiasts make sense of everything Bitcoin. Across various different sessions, we'll explore the basics, debunk the myths, and finally get some clear, honest answers to the questions you've been too afraid to ask. Think of it as a journey of discovery, together, with no jargon and no judgment.
Hands On Design Lab (HODL): Bitcoin desperately needs more designers but designers need a path into Bitcoin. This workshop series is that path in to introduce designers to Bitcoin, open design, and what it means to contribute to software that millions of people depend on. Built by two Bitspace regulars who got tired of waiting for someone else to do it.
Plus, we also host gatherings that don't fit a category. We do board/video game nights, group hangouts in cafes, badminton sessions, and the occasional chaos. The stuff that turns a workspace into a community.
Public events happen on a roughly bi-weekly basis. Check our calendar for what's coming up.
"And how can I co-work from here?"
If you're actively building in Bitcoin, open protocols, or freedom tech, then we'd surely like to hear from you.
We'd recommend coming to a few events first, meeting the people, and getting a feel for the space. When you're ready, fill out the form and tell us who you are and what you're working on.
Fill out the form →"Wait, I have a some more questions!"
Q. Where exactly is Bitspace?
HSR Layout, Bangalore. The exact address shows up when you register for an event on Luma.
Q. Are events free?
Yes. Always. Just register on Luma so we know you're coming.
Q. I'm not in Bangalore. Is there a way to participate remotely?
Bitspace is a physical space, that's kind of the whole point. For online community, join Bitshala's Discord. That's where remote conversations happen.
Q. How do I become a regular here?
Show up. Come to events. Build something. Talk to people. If you're doing work that fits and you want to be here daily, tell us what you're working on. There's no waitlist or committee, just people who know when someone belongs.
Q. Why is the space Bitcoin-only?
Because everything else is a distraction.