Lightning Network
Send Bitcoin instantly, anywhere in the world, for fractions of a cent. Lightning is a payment layer built on top of Bitcoin that makes everyday transactions fast and cheap.
What is the Lightning Network?
The Lightning Network is a payment layer built on top of Bitcoin. It lets people send Bitcoin to each other instantly, with fees that are typically less than a penny.
Regular Bitcoin transactions are recorded directly on the blockchain, which is secure but slow (confirmations take minutes) and can be expensive when the network is busy. Lightning works differently: two people open a payment channel between them, then send as many transactions back and forth as they want, instantly and almost free. Only the opening and closing of the channel are recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain.
Think of it like running a tab at a bar. Instead of swiping your card for every drink (an on-chain transaction), you open a tab (a payment channel), order as many rounds as you want (Lightning payments), and settle up once at the end (close the channel on-chain). You get the speed of running a tab with the security of your card.
The real power is that these channels connect into a network. You don't need a direct channel with every person you want to pay; your payment can route through other people's channels to reach anyone on the network, all in under a second.
Why Use Lightning?
The features that make Lightning practical for everyday Bitcoin payments.
Instant
Payments settle in seconds, not the minutes or hours that on-chain Bitcoin transactions can take. Lightning is fast enough for buying coffee, paying at checkout, or splitting a bill.
Near-Zero Fees
Typical Lightning fees are fractions of a cent, even for international transfers. On-chain Bitcoin fees can range from under a dollar to over ten dollars depending on network congestion.
Global
Send payments to anyone on the Lightning Network, in any country, 24 hours a day. No bank hours, no intermediaries, no currency conversion delays.
Private
Lightning payments are not individually recorded on the public Bitcoin blockchain. Only channel opens and closes appear on-chain, giving everyday transactions more privacy than regular Bitcoin payments.
Scalable
The Bitcoin blockchain processes roughly 7 transactions per second. The Lightning Network can handle millions, making Bitcoin practical as a payment network, not just a store of value.
Programmable
Lightning enables entirely new payment types: streaming tiny amounts per second to a podcaster, machine-to-machine payments, pay-per-use APIs, and micropayments too small to work on-chain.
What People Use Lightning For
Lightning is being used today by millions of people across a growing range of applications.
Sending Money
Lightning is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to send money internationally. Services like Strike use Lightning under the hood to deliver cross-border payments in seconds, at a fraction of the cost of traditional remittance providers.
Paying at Merchants
A growing number of merchants accept Lightning payments at the point of sale and online. Payment processors like BTCPay Server, OpenNode, and Strike make it straightforward for businesses to accept Lightning with instant settlement. Learn more on our merchant tools page.
Tipping and Social Payments
On the Nostr social network, users send "zaps" (Lightning tips) to posts and creators. Podcasting apps like Fountain and Breez let listeners stream tiny payments to podcasters as they listen, a model called value-for-value.
Gaming
Platforms like THNDR Games and ZBD let users earn small Bitcoin rewards (satoshis) while playing mobile games, paid out instantly via Lightning.
Exchange Transfers
Many major exchanges now support Lightning for deposits and withdrawals. Moving Bitcoin between exchanges or from an exchange to your wallet via Lightning is faster and cheaper than on-chain transfers.
Lightning Wallets
To use Lightning, you need a wallet that supports it. These wallets let you send and receive Lightning payments.
BlueWallet
BlueWallet is a popular open-source Bitcoin wallet for iOS and Android. It supports both on-chain Bitcoin and Lightning Network payments, making it a versatile option for everyday use. Features include...
Phoenix (Android)
Phoenix by ACINQ is a self-custodial Lightning Network wallet for Android. It manages Lightning channels automatically, making it one of the simplest ways to send and receive Lightning payments without...
Zeus (Android)
Zeus is an open-source mobile wallet for managing Bitcoin Lightning nodes. It can connect to your own LND, CLN, or Eclair node for full self-sovereign Lightning use, or operate in...
Phoenix (iOS)
Phoenix by ACINQ is also available for iOS, providing the same self-custodial Lightning Network experience with automatic channel management and a unified balance. It is one of the easiest ways...
Zeus (iOS)
Zeus is also available for iOS. Connect to your own Lightning node or use the embedded node mode for self-sovereign Lightning payments without running separate infrastructure.
Self-custodial vs. custodial: Self-custodial wallets like Phoenix and Zeus give you full control of your funds, but you manage your own channels and keys. Custodial wallets (like some features in Strike or Cash App) are simpler to use, but the provider holds your Bitcoin on your behalf, similar to a bank. For larger amounts, self-custody is strongly recommended. For small, everyday spending, custodial wallets offer convenience.
Exchanges with Lightning Support
These exchanges support Lightning Network deposits and withdrawals, making it faster and cheaper to move Bitcoin on and off the platform.
Coinbase
One of the world's largest and most trusted exchanges. Buy Bitcoin with bank transfers, credit cards, and debit cards. Available...
Kraken
One of the longest-running and most respected exchanges. Buy Bitcoin via bank transfer, SEPA, and other methods. Available in the...
Binance
The world's largest exchange by trading volume. Buy Bitcoin with bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and peer-to-peer trading. Available in most...
Bitstamp
One of the longest-running exchanges, founded in 2011 in Europe. Acquired by Robinhood in 2024. Buy Bitcoin with SEPA, bank...
Strike
Bitcoin-focused platform with Lightning Network integration. Simple interface for buying, sending, and receiving Bitcoin with instant, low-fee payments.
River
Bitcoin-only exchange and custodian with 100%+ proof-of-reserves and zero lending. Conservative, trust-focused model with recurring buys and Lightning support.
CoinCorner
Bitcoin exchange and wallet provider based in the Isle of Man (UK), operating in 45+ countries. Supports Lightning Network payments....
OKX
One of the world's largest exchanges, offering spot, derivatives, and DeFi trading. Formerly OKCoin.
bitFlyer
Japan's largest licensed cryptocurrency exchange. Also available in the US and Europe.
Get Started with Lightning
You can make your first Lightning payment in minutes.
- Download a Lightning wallet Pick a wallet from the list above. For a simple start, BlueWallet supports both on-chain Bitcoin and Lightning in one app. For a dedicated Lightning experience, try Phoenix.
- Fund your wallet Buy Bitcoin on a Lightning-enabled exchange and withdraw to your wallet via Lightning, or have a friend send you some sats. Some wallets also let you fund directly with a credit card or bank transfer.
- Make a payment Scan a Lightning QR code or paste a Lightning invoice. The payment will arrive in seconds. You can test with small amounts, as low as a few cents.
Tradeoffs to Know
Lightning is powerful, but it involves tradeoffs worth understanding.
Custodial vs. Self-Custodial
The easiest Lightning wallets are custodial, meaning the provider holds your Bitcoin. This is convenient for small amounts but means you're trusting a third party. Self-custodial wallets like Phoenix and Zeus give you full control, but require more setup. For significant amounts, self-custody is the better choice.
Channel Management
Lightning payments flow through payment channels that need liquidity to work. Modern wallets handle this automatically through Liquidity Service Providers (LSPs), so most users never think about channels. But if you run your own node or use more advanced setups, channel management is part of the experience.
Online Requirement
Unlike on-chain Bitcoin, where your wallet can receive payments while offline, Lightning wallets generally need to be online to receive. Some wallets work around this with notifications or asynchronous payment features, but it remains a difference from on-chain transactions.
Evolving Ecosystem
The Lightning wallet landscape is still maturing. Some wallets have shut down or exited certain markets due to business or regulatory challenges. Stick with well-established, actively maintained wallets, and as with any Bitcoin holding, keep your recovery phrase backed up.
Common Questions
Is Lightning safe?
Lightning inherits Bitcoin's cryptographic security. Funds in a Lightning channel are secured by the Bitcoin blockchain; if anything goes wrong with a channel, either party can close it and settle on-chain. The main risk is wallet choice: custodial wallets carry counterparty risk (the provider could lose your funds), while self-custodial wallets put security in your hands. Use reputable, actively maintained wallets and keep your recovery phrase safe.
Do I need to run my own node?
No. Most Lightning wallets connect to the network on your behalf. Wallets like Phoenix and BlueWallet handle all the technical details automatically. Running your own node (with software like Zeus, Umbrel, or Start9) gives you maximum sovereignty and privacy, but it is entirely optional.
What are the fees?
Lightning transaction fees are typically fractions of a cent, even for international payments. There are two types of fees: a small base fee per transaction and a percentage-based fee (usually a tiny fraction of the amount sent). Some wallets also charge a fee when opening or resizing a payment channel, since that requires an on-chain transaction. Once a channel is open, sending payments through it is extremely cheap.
What is the difference between on-chain and Lightning?
On-chain transactions are recorded directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. They are the most secure and final form of Bitcoin payment, but take minutes to confirm and carry higher fees. Lightning transactions happen off-chain, settling in seconds for near-zero fees, but require a Lightning wallet and an open payment channel. Think of on-chain as a wire transfer and Lightning as a tap-to-pay. Both are real Bitcoin; they just use different layers of the system.
Can I receive payments when my wallet is offline?
Generally, no. Lightning wallets need to be online to receive payments. Some wallets and services are developing workarounds (like asynchronous payments and notification systems), but this is a current limitation compared to on-chain Bitcoin, where funds arrive whether your wallet is open or not.
How much Bitcoin can I send on Lightning?
Lightning was originally designed for smaller payments, but the network has grown to handle larger amounts. Individual channel capacity varies, but modern wallets and routing can handle payments of several thousand dollars without issues. For very large transfers, on-chain transactions may still be more practical. There is no fixed limit on the network itself; it depends on channel liquidity and routing.
What happens if a Lightning wallet shuts down?
With a self-custodial wallet, your funds are safe as long as you have your recovery phrase. If the wallet provider shuts down, your channels will close automatically and the Bitcoin will settle to an on-chain address you control. With a custodial wallet, you depend on the provider to return your funds, which is why self-custody is recommended for anything beyond small spending amounts.
Ready to Try Lightning?
Get some Bitcoin, download a Lightning wallet, and make your first instant payment.