Lightspark's New Feature Brings Instant Bitcoin Payments to U.S. Businesses
Lightspark has launched a groundbreaking solution, Lightspark Extend, enabling U.S. businesses to facilitate instant Bitcoin Lightning payments to eligible account holders.
By Laura Mendes
Lightspark, a leader in Bitcoin Lightning Network payments, has introduced Lightspark Extend, a new feature that allows businesses to send instant Lightning payments to eligible recipients in the United States. This innovation is set to revolutionize how businesses handle transactions, offering a fast, compliant, and cost-effective solution.
Lightspark Extend integrates seamlessly with Universal Money Addresses (UMA) and Lightning-enabled wallets, exchanges, or bank accounts. This integration ensures that businesses can offer their customers 24/7 payments that are both quick and affordable. Impressively, the platform is compatible with over 99% of U.S. banks that accept real-time payments, making it a versatile tool for businesses across the country.
UMA, which is available in 120 countries, simplifies the process of sending value by using a human-friendly address format, similar to an email. This eliminates the need for users to remember complex codes or passwords, making transactions more user-friendly. With the launch of Lightspark Extend, this capability is now accessible in the U.S., allowing recipients with real-time payments-enabled accounts to receive UMA-powered payments via the Bitcoin Lightning Network.
Businesses interested in adopting Lightspark Extend can easily sign up for a UMA address, link eligible accounts, and start receiving payments through an onboarding process facilitated by Zero Hash, a regulated U.S. financial institution. This streamlined process ensures that businesses can quickly and efficiently begin using this new feature.
The launch of Lightspark Extend marks a significant step forward in making instant, low-cost Bitcoin payments more accessible to both businesses and consumers across the U.S. This development further expands the reach and utility of the Bitcoin Lightning Network, solidifying its role in the future of digital payments.
In related news, Lightspark recently announced a partnership with Coinbase, enabling their customers to send Bitcoin transactions up to $10,000 instantly through the Lightning Network.
Bitcoin Startup TMRW Raises $1.3 Million to Develop Social Payments App
Meanwhile, Miami-based Bitcoin startup TMRW has successfully raised $1.3 million in pre-seed funding to develop its social payments app, which is powered by the Bitcoin Lightning Network. The funding round was led by Maple VC, with participation from prominent Bitcoin angel investors like Brad Mills.
TMRW aims to leverage the speed and low costs of the Lightning Network to enable cross-border peer-to-peer payments. The app uses Universal Money Addresses to send fiat and Bitcoin instantly across borders, making it an ideal solution for regions like the Caribbean, where traditional remittance providers charge high fees.
The app also includes social features, such as the ability to add messages, emojis, and images to payments, making it a unique and engaging way to send money. TMRW is currently running pilots in the Caribbean and has opened its iOS beta to U.S. users. The recent funding will help the startup expand into the American market and make Bitcoin and fiat transfers available globally.
As Bitcoin Lightning adoption continues to grow, especially for remittances and cross-border transfers, TMRW's app could play a crucial role in making these transactions faster, cheaper, and more accessible to users worldwide.
