In May 2025, KBI Netherlands co-organised the Dutch Blockchain Week Hackathon alongside BCNL Foundation and partners from IBCOL. The event ran on 21–22 May at Meervaart, Amsterdam.

The challenge was specific and practical: design blockchain-integrated AI agent systems that detect, trace, and respond to suspicious financial transactions in real time. The theme drew from real-world initiatives including Project SPARC — a collaboration between EY, ABN AMRO, and the University of Amsterdam — and was aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals through the Blockchain for Good Alliance.

Participants had access to free GPU compute resources provided by Nosana and cloud credits from Alibaba Cloud. A panel of mentors from AI, blockchain, and financial regulation advised teams across the two days, covering areas from anti-money laundering and fraud detection to privacy, auditability, and ethical automation.

The hackathon reflects what KBI looks for in every programme it runs: a real problem, serious participants, and outcomes that connect student work to industry challenges.