Exploring the Future of Blockchain: Bournemouth University Hackathon Week 2025
From 2 to 6 June 2025, Bournemouth University transformed the Fusion Building into a vibrant hub of innovation, collaboration and creativity during its Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies Hackathon Week.
Students and tech enthusiasts came together to explore the future of decentralised technologies, tackling real-world challenges in blockchain security and crypto innovation. With hands-on coding, expert mentoring, free food and drinks, and a healthy dose of competition, the atmosphere was both inspiring and energetic.
Participants worked in teams to develop blockchain-based solutions, competing for prizes that included a £200 Amazon voucher for the winning group. The challenge was revealed at the launch event, setting the stage for a fast-paced week of problem-solving and original thinking.
The winning team developed suspETHious, an AI agent-powered Ethereum wallet designed to detect suspicious transaction activity before a user approves a transfer. This innovative smart wallet integrates a large language model (LLM) AI agent that audits recipient wallet addresses in real time by analysing their transaction histories on the Ethereum network.
Recognising the growing risk of scams facilitated by wallets with histories of malicious behaviour, suspETHious uses a machine learning model trained on thousands of known fraudulent Ethereum transactions to identify patterns such as rapid fund movements, interactions with blacklisted contracts, and fund obfuscation techniques. When suspicious activity is detected, users receive an immediate alert, helping them make safer decisions.
A key feature of suspETHious is its use of explainable AI techniques. By employing SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations), the system highlights the specific factors influencing its fraud predictions, delivering these insights in clear, user-friendly language powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o-mini via the LangChain framework. This ensures users not only receive warnings but also understand the reasons behind them.
Technically, the backend was built using Python Flask to handle API requests, integrate the machine learning model, and query transaction data through Etherscan APIs. The frontend was developed with ReactJS, offering a responsive and intuitive interface for real-time wallet analysis. Crucially, all transaction checks occur before execution, protecting users’ assets by keeping them informed and in control.
This project showcases a powerful combination of blockchain technology, AI, and cybersecurity to enhance trust and transparency in cryptocurrency transactions. You can explore the full project and source code on GitHub: https://github.com/samariwa/etherium-wallet-auditing
Another standout project, VaultIQ, presented an intelligent crypto wallet designed to provide real-time protection against scams through artificial intelligence and continuous validation. Recognising that many losses in the Web3 space result from phishing attacks, malicious smart contracts, and fake websites, VaultIQ proactively protects users by assessing the safety of dApp connections before they occur. This is achieved through a live API integration with N8N, which automatically blocks high-risk sites and provides clear visual indicators ranging from ‘Safe’ to ‘Warning’ and ‘Dangerous’, helping users make informed choices without disrupting their workflow.
VaultIQ also performs intelligent transaction validation in the background, checking each transaction against known scam addresses and preventing suspicious transfers while communicating risks clearly. Designed as a browser extension, its React-based pop-up interface offers real-time validation with a smooth, user-friendly experience that maintains full wallet functionality, including sending and receiving crypto, network switching, and dApp interaction.
On the technical side, VaultIQ’s backend is a Chrome extension background script that manages permissions, conducts AI-driven risk analysis, and logs security decisions. It integrates securely with the N8N API, utilises caching to enhance performance, and handles API failures gracefully to maintain protection at all times.
What sets VaultIQ apart is its proactive approach to security, blocking threats before damage occurs and reducing reliance on user judgment with AI-powered decisions. This live protection model enhances user trust, decreases the support burden from compromised wallets, and contributes to a safer decentralised ecosystem. the team will be showcasing their project at BSides Bournemouth on 16 August 2025 at the Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth, a great opportunity to share their work with the wider cybersecurity and tech community.
Events like this hackathon are crucial for inspiring innovation and equipping participants with the skills and confidence to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s digital landscape. By fostering collaboration and hands-on experience, they help build a stronger, safer, and more inclusive blockchain community. The momentum generated here promises exciting developments ahead for the world of decentralised technology.