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Justin Sun Launches $1 Million Prize for Mathematical Breakthroughs

Cryptelio Editorial Published 16 Sep 2026 · 10:31 UTC

Geneva, Switzerland — September 16, 2026 — The Office of Justin Sun has officially launched the Justin Sun Prize, a zero-trust, decentralized academic bounty mechanism designed to reward breakthroughs in fundamental disciplines and machine formal verification. The prize features a top award of up to $1 million for solving specific mathematical problems.

The inaugural winners of the Justin Sun Prize were also revealed, recognizing solutions to 66 mathematical problems. The top prize was awarded to the OpenAI research team for its proof regarding the Existence and Smoothness of the Three-Dimensional Navier–Stokes Equations, a longstanding challenge in fluid dynamics.

Unlike traditional awards, the Justin Sun Prize does not impose barriers such as nominations or credential thresholds. It directly ties awards to mathematical problems and machine-verifiable proofs, allowing anyone to claim the prize upon achieving a qualifying breakthrough. This initiative aims to redefine scientific rewards in the AI era and foster collaboration between humans and AI.

The prize's vision is to become the “Nobel Prize of the AI Era,” adapting to the evolving landscape of scientific research. The repository of mathematical challenges will be publicly maintained and updated, ensuring transparency and accessibility.

Winners will receive a certificate, a medal inscribed with the Latin phrase “Quod probatur, solvitur” (Proved, then paid), and the prize can be awarded in either USDT on TRON or USDC on Ethereum, depending on the recipient's preference.

Justin Sun emphasized the importance of the prize, stating, “My wealth is rooted in mathematics. It came from mathematics, and it will return to mathematics.” This initiative will also serve as a focal point for Sun's philanthropic efforts, continuing his commitment to advancing fundamental science.

New Facts about the Justin Sun Prize

  • The Justin Sun Prize has been established with a top prize of up to $1 million for breakthroughs in mathematics and machine formal verification.
  • The first prize was awarded to the OpenAI research team for their solution to the Existence and Smoothness of the Three-Dimensional Navier–Stokes Equations problem.
  • The prize operates on a zero-trust, decentralized academic bounty mechanism, allowing anyone to qualify as long as they achieve a breakthrough.
  • Winners will receive a certificate and a medal inscribed with "Quod probatur, solvitur," meaning "Proved, then paid."
  • The prize emphasizes openness, public benefit, and open source, with no restrictions based on nationality or identity.
  • Funds will be paid out in either USDT on TRON or USDC on Ethereum, based on the recipient's choice.
  • The current problem list includes formal verification of significant mathematical conjectures such as the Poincaré Conjecture and the Riemann Hypothesis.
  • Justin Sun has donated over $45 million to various fields, and the prize will be a central focus of his philanthropic efforts.

FAQ

What is the Justin Sun Prize?

The Justin Sun Prize is a decentralized academic bounty mechanism that rewards breakthroughs in fundamental disciplines and machine formal verification, with a top award of up to $1 million for solving specific mathematical problems.

Who can claim the Justin Sun Prize?

Anyone can claim the Justin Sun Prize upon achieving a qualifying breakthrough, as the prize does not impose barriers such as nominations or credential thresholds.

What was the top award for in the inaugural Justin Sun Prize?

The top award was given to the OpenAI research team for their proof regarding the Existence and Smoothness of the Three-Dimensional Navier–Stokes Equations, a longstanding challenge in fluid dynamics.

How will winners be recognized?

Winners will receive a certificate, a medal inscribed with the Latin phrase 'Quod probatur, solvitur' (Proved, then paid), and the prize can be awarded in either USDT on TRON or USDC on Ethereum, depending on the recipient's preference.

What is the vision behind the Justin Sun Prize?

The vision is to redefine scientific rewards in the AI era and foster collaboration between humans and AI, aiming to become the 'Nobel Prize of the AI Era' while ensuring transparency and accessibility in scientific research.

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