Kota Samarahan, 8 August 2025 – A team of five determined students from the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), has made East Malaysia proud at PayHACK 2025, the country’s largest inter-varsity hackathon.
Team X-Chain, comprising Dexter (Team Leader, Year 2 of Software Engineering Programme), Jaynicer (Year 3 of Software Engineering Programme), Hannah (Year 2 of Network Computing Programme), Presziny (Year 2 of Software Engineering Programme), and Hijriah (Year 2 of Software Engineering Programme), stood out among more than 90 competing teams from across Malaysia.
They were the only team from East Malaysia to advance to the finals and ultimately clinched the Hustler Award, recognising their exceptional energy, proactiveness, and unwavering dedication throughout the competition.
Organised by PayNet, Ant International, and Asia Pacific University (APU), PayHACK 2025 challenged participants to solve real-world financial technology problems.
X-Chain competed in the Cybersecurity track, developing a cutting-edge prototype named Trust-X.
Their system integrates behavioural biometrics, deepfake detection, device fingerprinting, and advanced AI fraud analysis to enhance eKYC processes and combat financial fraud.
From registration on 7th June 2025 to the grand finals on 2nd–3rd August 2025 at Xsolla Curine Academy, KL Eco City, the journey was intense.
The team navigated weeks of ideation, mentoring sessions, and multiple competition rounds before securing a Top 17 Finalist position.
Mentors praised their enthusiasm and commitment, qualities that earned them the coveted Hustler Award.
“This achievement is more than just a win—it’s proof that determination, teamwork, and passion can bridge any gap,” the team reflected.
“We hope this inspires more East Malaysian students to innovate and take on national and global challenges.”
By reaching the finals and winning a national award, X-Chain has not only elevated UNIMAS’s presence on the innovation stage but also paved the way for future talents from the region to shine in the country’s growing tech ecosystem.
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