Cash App Integrates Lightning Network—Now Swap Dollars for Bitcoin Instantly

Breaking the fiat-barrier: Jack Dorsey’s Cash App just plugged into Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, letting users ditch dollar middlemen for near-free, instant BTC transactions.

No more waiting—or overpaying. The move slashes settlement times from minutes to seconds and fees to pennies, a direct shot across the bow of legacy payment rails. Because why let banks take a cut when math can do it cheaper?

Bonus jab: Your traditional savings account still yields less than a stale vending machine sandwich.

Lightning Network expands payment capacity

The Lightning Network has enjoyed the support of Jack Dorsey and other crypto influencers. The technology has been around since 2018, with significant growth in terms of growth and payment channels. 

The Lightning Network relies on the commitment of node operators, who are key in securing enough liquidity and payment channels. As of November 2025, the network carries over $500M in value. 

The main weakness of the network is its relative centralization, depending on the top channels to secure reliable liquidity. In theory, the network could also carry other types of balances and payments. The involvement with Cash App shows that time-tested crypto technology can find its way into fintech apps. 

BTC lags as a payment asset

BTC has been adopted by multiple payment tools, but has lagged behind as a payment asset. The coin’s high value prevents holders from spending and instead prompts them to MOVE to other assets, such as stablecoins. 

Cash App already offers multiple channels, including various forms of digital dollars. The app was still among the first to offer seamless crypto buying and transfers to self-custody wallets. 

BTC is still used for peer-to-peer transfers, as the coins cannot be frozen, though the transactions are not confidential. 

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