Revolut to Bring Lightning-Fast Bitcoin Payments to the U.K. and Europe

Big news for crypto lovers! London-based digital bank Revolut is getting ready to roll out Bitcoin’s Lightning Network for users in the U.K. and several European countries. This upgrade is designed to make sending and receiving Bitcoin not only faster but also cheaper than ever before.

To make this happen, Revolut is teaming up with Lightspark, a company focused on building advanced infrastructure for the Lightning Network. Together, they aim to shake up the world of international crypto payments, delivering a quicker and more affordable way to move money across borders. It's a strong sign that fintech is leaning more and more into blockchain technology to evolve the future of finance.

What Makes Lightning So Powerful?

Traditional Bitcoin transactions can be sluggish and pricey when the network is busy. But the Lightning Network changes that by settling transactions off-chain, making them near-instant and low-cost.

With Lightspark’s technology behind it, Revolut users will soon be plugged into what’s being called the “Money Grid,” a modern, decentralized network that allows global transactions to happen in real time.

“We’re always working on ways to make finance quicker and more affordable,” shared Emil Urmanshin, Revolut’s general manager of crypto. “Integrating Lightspark just makes sense.” While the exact launch date hasn't been revealed yet, it’s clear that Revolut is serious about making Bitcoin payments as seamless as traditional banking.

Lightning Network Adoption Is on the Rise

Bitcoin’s Lightning Network isn’t just a promising idea, it’s already seeing major growth. In 2022, adoption was around 6.5%, but by 2023 it jumped to 11.8%, and as of 2024, it’s sitting at a solid 14.5%. This growth highlights the network's growing role in solving Bitcoin’s long-standing speed and cost challenges.

What This Means for the Future

By building with Lightspark’s tech, Revolut is putting itself on the same playing field as both traditional banks and crypto-first platforms. It’s a bold move and a clear message: crypto isn’t just a niche anymore. It’s becoming a core piece of global finance.