In an intriguing blend of cryptography, pop culture, and real-world adventure, a mysterious Ethereum-based puzzle that began with cryptic advertisements in the Warsaw metro has finally been solved. The lucky winner claimed a prize of 7 ETH, worth approximately $4,115 at the time of the reward.
The Puzzle Begins: Metro Billboards and Twitter Clues
The event kicked off on November 16 when a mysterious billboard appeared in a metro station in Poland’s capital city. It displayed a public Ethereum address holding 7 ETH, along with the tags "0xPOLAND" and "0xPOLANDHEIST," and invited passersby to "solve the puzzle, claim the reward!"
Simultaneously, a Twitter account named 0xPoland started posting enigmatic messages accompanied by rabbit imagery, followed by a series of clues. The organizers later explained that the first clue was embedded within the code of an Ethereum smart contract. To claim the funds, participants needed to call the "solve" function using a secret passphrase.
Cracking the Code: Step-by-Step Clues
First Clue: The Hidden Message
Three days after the initial billboard appeared, the first clue was revealed. It contained the hint: Tip:^[A-Z].*
This indicated that the secret phrase must begin with a capital letter and end with a period.
The clue also included the string "0x01ccfbfc," part of the solution’s control parameters.
A tweet from 0xPoland featured lyrics from the black metal artist Ulver’s song Into the Dark Forest:
"Take my light, my light beside me, the light of the burning tower."
This led solvers to conclude that the first part of the passphrase was "Into the dark forest."
Second Clue: Programming and Pop Culture
On November 23, 0xPoland tweeted:
"The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything," followed by a long string of characters.
This was a clear nod to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, where the answer is "42." The string of characters required programming knowledge to decode, eventually revealing the second part of the passphrase:
"Down the rabbit hole."
Final Clue: A Newspaper Advertisement
The third and final clue was published on November 26 in the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza, both in print and online. Placing the ad proved challenging, as many newspapers were hesitant to publish content they didn’t fully understand.
The ad read:
"You’ve come a long way. I have your final clue. Call me as soon as possible," followed by a phone number.
Callers were redirected to a pre-recorded message containing the last element of the passphrase. The full secret phrase was:
"With 0xPoland. Into the dark forest. Down the rabbit hole. Adventure awaits there."
The Winner Emerges
Just 21 minutes after the newspaper clue was shared on Twitter, the winning transaction was submitted. The correct hash was confirmed to the smart contract, and three minutes later, the puzzle was officially solved. Within hours, the anonymous winner transferred the 7 ETH reward to their wallet.
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Behind the Scenes: Why Create the Puzzle?
The organizers explained that the primary goal was to foster excitement and engagement within Poland’s Ethereum community. Besides offering fun and entertainment, the puzzle provided developers with an opportunity to enhance their skills and participate in building decentralized financial infrastructure.
0xPoland is actually the name of a series of meetups, workshops, and hackathons focused on blockchain development. The first event was scheduled for December 8, marking the beginning of a broader initiative to bring together Ethereum enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the prize for solving the Ethereum puzzle?
The winner received 7 ETH, which was valued at around $4,115 at the time of the reward.
How were the puzzle clues revealed?
Clues were released through multiple channels: a metro billboard, a Twitter account, and a newspaper advertisement. Each clue required solvers to use programming knowledge, pop culture references, and problem-solving skills.
Who organized the puzzle?
The puzzle was organized by 0xPoland, a group focused on Ethereum development and community building in Poland. The initiative included plans for future events like hackathons and workshops.
What was the secret passphrase?
The full passphrase was: "With 0xPoland. Into the dark forest. Down the rabbit hole. Adventure awaits there."
How long did it take to solve the puzzle?
The puzzle lasted about ten days from the first billboard to the solution. The final clue was solved just 21 minutes after it was shared online.
Are there more puzzles like this?
Crypto puzzles and treasure hunts are becoming increasingly popular in the blockchain community. They often involve smart contracts, cryptography, and creative clues.
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Conclusion
The 0xPoland puzzle captured the imagination of the crypto community by combining real-world advertising with blockchain technology. It demonstrated how creativity, technical skill, and collaboration can come together to create engaging experiences—and lucrative opportunities—for puzzle solvers around the world.