#lightning-network

➤ Blockstream's CMO, Peter Bain, asserts that Bitcoin is the sole 'institutional grade asset' due to its decentralized, battle-tested nature and existing financial infrastructure. ➤ Blockstream has developed a three-layer Bitcoin-native financial system (Liquid Network for capital markets/RWA tokenization, Lightning for payments) designed to meet institutional needs with a strong security track record. ➤ The article highlights the growing institutional confidence in Bitcoin, evidenced by ETF inflows and the increasing view of Bitcoin as a core holding and foundational infrastructure for future finance.

➤ Tando has launched a service in Kenya allowing users to send Bitcoin via the Lightning Network, which is automatically converted to Kenyan Shillings and deposited into recipients' M-PESA mobile money accounts. ➤ This integration bypasses the need for recipients to have a crypto wallet or understand Bitcoin, leveraging Kenya's high mobile money penetration (over 80% adult adoption) for seamless adoption. ➤ The service is positioned as a payment disbursement tool, avoiding stringent crypto regulations and aiming for widespread adoption by making Bitcoin invisible to the end-user, similar to existing mobile money transactions.

➤ Tether has launched a Bitcoin faucet within its self-custody wallet, distributing small BTC amounts via the Lightning Network to encourage user onboarding. ➤ Users can claim Bitcoin by interacting with Tether's official social channels and linking their tether.me usernames, receiving instant payouts without on-chain fees. ➤ This initiative mirrors early Bitcoin distribution models, like Block's planned faucet relaunch, aiming to simplify Bitcoin transactions and promote self-custody.

➤ BTC Inc. has integrated the Lightning Network into its BTCPay Server infrastructure, enabling faster and cheaper Bitcoin payments across its various business operations, including ticketing, point-of-sale, and e-commerce. ➤ This expansion aims to provide a unified payment stack for BTC Inc.'s diverse revenue streams and will see its first live deployment at the upcoming Bitcoin 2026 conference. ➤ The move highlights the growing adoption of open-source solutions and the Lightning Network for practical, large-scale business applications within the Bitcoin ecosystem.

➤ Solv Protocol has integrated with Utexo, leveraging RGB and the Lightning Network to offer the first true Bitcoin-native yield through direct BTC-to-USDT atomic swaps. ➤ This integration emphasizes self-custody, privacy, and fast settlement, aligning with Tether's plans for native USDT issuance on RGB-compatible Lightning rails. ➤ The move aims to facilitate institutional adoption of Bitcoin-native stablecoins and yield products, positioning Solv as a pioneer in this emerging financial infrastructure.

➤ Solv Protocol has integrated with Utexo, leveraging RGB and Lightning Network for the first true Bitcoin-native yield via BTC-to-USDT atomic swaps. ➤ This integration eliminates wrappers and custodial dependencies, offering self-custody, privacy, and faster settlements, aligning with Tether's native USDT issuance on RGB-compatible Lightning rails. ➤ The move aims to position Bitcoin yield for large-scale institutional use and capture demand as Bitcoin-native stablecoins gain mainstream adoption.