UK fintech giant Revolut has made a significant move in the world of cryptocurrency by partnering with Lightspark to bring Lightning Network support for Bitcoin (BTC) payments to users in the UK and select European Economic Area countries. This partnership, announced on May 7, will enable Revolut users to enjoy near-instant, low-cost Bitcoin transactions by leveraging Lightspark’s enterprise-grade infrastructure.
This integration represents a major milestone for Revolut, as it expands its crypto functionality beyond trading and custody. Emil Urmanshin, general manager of crypto at Revolut, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating that integrating with Lightspark is a natural step forward for the company’s mission to offer faster and more affordable financial solutions.
The Lightning Network, a layer-2 protocol built on top of Bitcoin’s base chain, is designed to improve transaction speed and reduce network fees. By tapping into this technology, Revolut joins a growing list of fintech companies embracing decentralized payment rails for practical use cases.
Lightspark CEO and co-founder David Marcus commended Revolut for its leadership in blockchain adoption for modern finance, emphasizing that Bitcoin and blockchain-based infrastructure represent the future of money. Marcus highlighted the outdated nature of traditional banks’ payment systems and praised Revolut for embracing a new, open Money Grid that enables instant, seamless transactions.
In addition to Lightning Network support, Lightspark’s platform also facilitates Universal Money Address (UMA), a new payment protocol that functions like an email address. UMA-compatible wallets allow users to send and receive funds using simple, human-readable identifiers.
The rollout of Revolut’s Lightning Network support will initially target users in the UK and select EEA markets, with plans for broader expansion as infrastructure and compliance conditions evolve. This move reflects the growing momentum around the Lightning Network, as global financial players seek alternatives to slow and expensive legacy payment systems.
For Revolut, this partnership with Lightspark reinforces its position as a forward-thinking platform offering faster, cheaper, and more flexible money movement options for its users. As the world of cryptocurrency continues to evolve, collaborations like this one will play a crucial role in driving innovation and enhancing the user experience.