# Magical May: From Vibe Coding to Times Square *4 years of Talent Protocol, 2,000 names on Times Square, and 1 vibe-coded registry* By [$macedo](https://paragraph.com/@macedo) · 2025-05-07 --- What a month. My heart is full. Sometimes I wonder if what we're building at Talent Protocol truly matters... but then I see [tweets like this](https://x.com/0xJba/status/1918217702956777557) and remember exactly why we keep showing up. May brought so many incredible milestones for our community: 🏆 Builder Rewards completed its first chapter ---------------------------------------------- Our 4-week pilot with Base successfully rewarded almost 200 superbuilders with 8 ETH through a fully permissionless, automated system. The 72% retention rate speaks volumes about the value this brings to the ecosystem. [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/7dbd551fede7b402f150c4750e0e70ab.jpg)](https://twitter.com/TalentProtocol) [Talent Protocol](https://twitter.com/TalentProtocol) [@TalentProtocol](https://twitter.com/TalentProtocol) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/TalentProtocol/status/1920509843527409833) 2K+ active builders, dozens of new apps and repos, over $15K to reward real impact. This was [@base](https://twitter.com/base) Builder Rewards in April. No applications. No shilling. Just shipping. Here’s what we learned so far![👇](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f447.png) ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/8b30e2e285aa311a262fcafcc066b82e.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 33](https://twitter.com/TalentProtocol/status/1920509843527409833)[ 12:03 PM • May 8, 2025 ](https://twitter.com/TalentProtocol/status/1920509843527409833) 💻 I'm shipping code again! --------------------------- This month marked my return to coding after 10+ years with the launch of the [Onchain Builder Registry](https://www.onchainbuilders.org/). There's something incredibly empowering about going from idea to production solo through "vibe coding." Having that full autonomy to create something meaningful reminded me why I fell in love with building in the first place. [ Verified Builder Registry ------------------------- A community-powered directory of verified builders backed by onchain attestations. https://www.onchainbuilders.org ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/cf6ed3d0eb73e845fd7758b9f1991261.png) ](https://www.onchainbuilders.org/) [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/ec2dcbe46307e02641cab65f0b011772.jpg)](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo) [macedo.eth](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo) [@0xmacedo](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo/status/1918051328829349925) After 10+ years without writing code, I'm shipping software again! It's so powerful to have full autonomy to go from idea to production. The Verified Registry of Onchain Builders is the most meaningful thing I built recently. Check it out and lmk how I can improve it. ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1918050136451682304/img/zz0qaYcQX_jHVFGE.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 18](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo/status/1918051328829349925)[ 5:14 PM • May 1, 2025 ](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo/status/1918051328829349925) Times Square lit up for Builders Day ------------------------------------ We surprised over 2,000 onchain builders by displaying their names on a Times Square billboard on May 1st. The reactions were incredibly moving. Seeing founders who've raised millions get emotional about their name being up there revealed something powerful: even the most accomplished builders crave mainstream recognition. [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/8b32eb11e225146be51c6f017e478b6f.jpg)](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo) [macedo.eth](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo) [@0xmacedo](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo/status/1917947608368398484) Today we got the names of over 2,000 onchain builders on Times Square! Happy Builders Day! ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1917947257833275392/img/ZBNnc_pl-mw9O0nS.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 296](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo/status/1917947608368398484)[ 10:21 AM • May 1, 2025 ](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo/status/1917947608368398484) What made this even more special was how we approached it. Great ideas don't always need massive budgets. This campaign delivered exponential returns in community goodwill, brand trust, and genuine excitement. It was a reminder that with the right story and a frugal mindset, small investments can create outsized impact. [![](https://paragraph.com/editor/youtube/play.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cFFvqnlh0Q) Joining the Base Security Council --------------------------------- We're honored to be one of the 10 members helping secure and decentralize control of Base contract upgrades as part of their Stage 1 Decentralization. This responsibility speaks to the trust placed in both our team and me individually. [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/61907b797f0d73bd4577be29348790fd.jpg)](https://twitter.com/base) [Base](https://twitter.com/base) [@base](https://twitter.com/base) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/base/status/1917252389083758689) Base has reached Stage 1 Decentralization We're building the foundation for a truly open, global onchain economy ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video_thumb/Gpty3ZkacAARfGC.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 5,089](https://twitter.com/base/status/1917252389083758689)[ 12:19 PM • Apr 29, 2025 ](https://twitter.com/base/status/1917252389083758689) Builders Table NYC Edition -------------------------- Thirty hungry builders gathered in one of New York's most iconic penthouses for an evening of spicy conversations about building onchain. These connections and conversations continue to inspire me. [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/38a6018e5af018821ffc92fd3787a0ab.jpg)](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo) [macedo.eth](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo) [@0xmacedo](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo/status/1916928598595850261) Putting together a builders-only dinner this Wed before FarCon. Co-hosting with [@iggy\_gl](https://twitter.com/iggy_gl) in an epic NYC penthouse. If you’re… \> building something serious onchain \> hungry for high-signal conversations \> willing to share your hardest problems 1–2 spots left dm if interested ![](https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1916928347126251520/img/PB9oqe7nNoau6h6l.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 8](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo/status/1916928598595850261)[ 2:52 PM • Apr 28, 2025 ](https://twitter.com/0xmacedo/status/1916928598595850261) [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/343c5363314cfe48ee7b001d7ee9950e.jpg)](https://twitter.com/iggy_gl) [Iggy](https://twitter.com/iggy_gl) [@iggy\_gl](https://twitter.com/iggy_gl) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/iggy_gl/status/1918368214003634274) Great way to kick-off Farcon with our friends at [@TalentProtocol](https://twitter.com/TalentProtocol) Thank you to everyone who pulled up ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/7b5279a3389ccd6951638dce982007f9.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 37](https://twitter.com/iggy_gl/status/1918368214003634274)[ 2:13 PM • May 2, 2025 ](https://twitter.com/iggy_gl/status/1918368214003634274) FarCon Friends -------------- ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/43c3bfbf37f4270d2931a7edc7373608.png) The density of high-quality builders at FarCon was simply unmatched, and it was great to spend IRL time with friends from all around the world. Some key takeaways that have me excited: * Farcaster is making sign-ups free, which opens up possibilities for us to create FC accounts for new Talent Protocol users and build more native social features * Base is shifting focus to end users with creators with their new Coinbase Wallet app * Talent Protocol sponsored a bounty for the hackathon, and the in-person feedback we received about our platform was incredibly validating * The winner of our FarCon bounty built a talent badges mini app that feels worth testing further * Met founders from Frens and Zapper who are also indexing blockchains, validating our recent technical vision The energy at FarCon reinforced that we're building in the right direction, with the right community, at exactly the right time. Four years of Talent Protocol ----------------------------- Four years and counting - still here, still dreaming, still building. The journey continues with even more determination. [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/83ae4ea5591b090bc49917386fa0cdad.jpg)](https://twitter.com/pcbo) [pcbo.base.eth](https://twitter.com/pcbo) [@pcbo](https://twitter.com/pcbo) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/pcbo/status/1917898530007703676) We launched [@TalentProtocol](https://twitter.com/TalentProtocol) on May 1, 2021. It’s May 1, 2025. We’re still here. Still building. Dreaming bigger every day. 4 years of compounding trust, builder by builder. [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 116](https://twitter.com/pcbo/status/1917898530007703676)[ 7:06 AM • May 1, 2025 ](https://twitter.com/pcbo/status/1917898530007703676) [![User Avatar](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/28481ff120dc48d758f4260a7a7a653d.jpg)](https://twitter.com/tolgadizmen) [Tolga Dizmen](https://twitter.com/tolgadizmen) [@tolgadizmen](https://twitter.com/tolgadizmen) [![Twitter Logo](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/logo.png)](https://twitter.com/tolgadizmen/status/1918042474427060672) We celebrated [@TalentProtocol](https://twitter.com/TalentProtocol) 's 4th birthday today ![🎉](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f389.png) Of course I coined it on [@zora](https://twitter.com/zora) and you can buy it if you wanna join the celebration. ![👇](https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f447.png) ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/85f9ac9c3b672471adea99e86f5eff57.jpg) [![Like Icon](https://paragraph.com/editor/twitter/heart.png) 29](https://twitter.com/tolgadizmen/status/1918042474427060672)[ 4:38 PM • May 1, 2025 ](https://twitter.com/tolgadizmen/status/1918042474427060672) None of this would have happened without our incredible team, partners who believed in our vision, and most importantly: the quiet builders who keep showing up every day. A massive thank you to everyone involved! Your support, feedback, and belief in our mission make all of this possible. Let's keep building! 🫡 * * * **What was your biggest building achievement in May?** Hit reply and let me know, I read every message. Even if it feels small, I'd love to hear it. One of my favorite parts of this newsletter is learning what everyone else is building. --- *Originally published on [$macedo](https://paragraph.com/@macedo/magical-may)*