AI Trading Hackathon 2026: Win $1.88M Prize Pool with CoinGecko API (Live Market Data)

With the competition entering its decisive stage, AI Wars: WEEX Alpha Awakens — the flagship global AI trading hackathon launched by WEEX Labs is gearing up for its highly anticipated Finals. Following a fiercely contested Preliminary Round, the top-performing teams from each group will advance to the Finals, where they will face off in live-market conditions for a prize pool exceeding $1 million. The ultimate champion will claim the Bentley Bentayga S, marking one of the most prestigious grand prizes ever awarded in an AI trading competition.

As part of this expansion, the hackathon has introduced a dedicated CoinGecko API Track, supported by its own exclusive prize pool. By integrating CoinGecko’s trusted, real-time crypto market data API, participating teams gain a measurable edge in building more robust and responsive AI trading strategies, while also qualifying for additional track-specific rewards, including a full year of professional CoinGecko API access valued at over $1,500. This dual-track structure enables builders to compete simultaneously for both the main $1.88 million USDT global prize pool and CoinGecko’s dedicated incentives — a rare opportunity to turn technical excellence into multiple forms of recognition.

In AI trading, data is the weapon, execution is the test, and only real performance defines value.

Why Top AI Traders Use CoinGecko API: Real-Time Data for 24M+ Tokens

AI trading strategies live or die by data quality. The CoinGecko API is the most comprehensive and reliable crypto market data API available, providing access to price and market data for over 24 million+ tokens across more than 250+ blockchains and 1,700+ exchanges.

Hackathon participants can eliminate the engineering overhead of fragmented data sources. Focus on strategy development instead of building price and market data infrastructure from scratch.

3 Ways to Feed Live Crypto Data to Your AI: WebSocket, MCP & REST API

CoinGecko offers three data delivery methods optimized for different AI trading workflows.

• WebSocket API: Persistent connections push price updates and on-chain trades the instant they occur. Sub-second update frequencies enable strategies that react to volatility before standard polling methods register the change.
• MCP Server: The Model Context Protocol (MCP) allows LLMs like Claude or OpenAI to query CoinGecko data directly through structured tool calls. Ideal for rapid strategy prototyping with autonomous AI agents.
• REST API: Comprehensive real-time and historical data spanning 10+ years for backtesting and deep market analysis. The various market discovery endpoints such as onchain pools Megafilter, trending search, top gainers and losers also enables traders to easily filter and uncover assets that may be worth monitoring.

$1,500+ in Prizes: How to Win a Year of Pro API Access (Even as a Beginner)

Every participant approved for the CoinGecko API Dedicated Track receives a complimentary 2-month Analyst Plan API key valued at $258. This grants access to all exclusive endpoints that CoinGecko API has to offer, including the WebSocket API for real-time streaming during the period of the competition.

Track Prizes

The CoinGecko API track awards the top 10 builders in addition to the main WEEX Hackathon prize pool.

Each of the 10 winners receives a 1-year CoinGecko Analyst API Plan valued at $1,548, plus global media exposure across CoinGecko's official channels including X, their website, and newsletters.

These prizes stack with main WEEX AI Wars rewards. A strong submission can win both tracks simultaneously.

Step-by-Step Guide: From Registration to Submission in 72 Hours

Step 1: Complete the CoinGecko API Dedicated Track Registration Request Form with your details and intended API usage.

Step 2: Build your strategy using CoinGecko API’s data in a meaningful manner such as for market discovery, backtesting, or risk monitoring.

Step 3: Submit your project via the CoinGecko API Track Submission Form with your DoraHacks BUIDL link, GitHub repository, and an explainer walkthrough video.

• Track Duration: January 13, 2026 to March 3, 2026
• Registration Deadline: February 2, 2026
• Winner Announcement: TBA

The CoinGecko API track represents a clear opportunity for WEEX AI Wars participants to enhance their AI trading strategies with trusted and comprehensive crypto market data to compete effectively and qualify for additional prizes.

Click here for more details about the dedicated CoinGecko API hackathon track and visit the CoinGecko API documentation to learn more about the available data and endpoints CoinGecko has to offer.

Beyond sponsorship, CoinGecko’s involvement in WEEX Global AI trading hackathon reflects a shared commitment to raising the technical standard of AI-driven trading. By providing transparent, reliable, and institution-grade market data, CoinGecko enables builders in the WEEX AI Trading Hackathon to focus on execution and performance rather than narrative-driven signals, reinforcing a core principle of the competition: in AI trading, only real data and real markets can prove real value.

About WEEX

Founded in 2018, WEEX has developed into a global crypto exchange with over 6.2 million users across more than 150 countries. The platform emphasizes security, liquidity, and usability, providing over 1,200 spot trading pairs and offering up to 400x leverage in crypto futures trading. In addition to traditional spot and derivatives markets, WEEX is expanding rapidly in the AI era — delivering real-time AI news, empowering users with AI trading tools, and exploring innovative trade-to-earn models that make intelligent trading more accessible to everyone. Its 1,000 BTC Protection Fund further strengthens asset safety and transparency, while features such as copy trading and advanced trading tools allow users to follow professional traders and experience a more efficient, intelligent trading journey.