Bitcoin News Today: Passive Earnings via Browsing Now Possible as Lolli Acquires Slice

Lolli, a Bitcoin rewards platform, has acquired Slice, a browser extension that incentivizes users for passive online activity, marking a significant step in consolidating the fragmented Bitcoin rewards ecosystem. The move, announced by the combined entities, aims to accelerate the adoption of the Lightning Network-a Layer 2 solution designed to enable faster, cheaper Bitcoin transactions, according to The Block. The acquisition follows Lolli's own purchase earlier this year by Thesis, a Bitcoin infrastructure firm known for incubating Fold, which later went public on the Nasdaq.

The integration of Slice into Lolli's platform expands users' earning opportunities beyond traditional e-commerce. While Lolli currently rewards users for online purchases at partner retailers, Slice's technology will allow users to earn Bitcoin simply by browsing the web, watching content, or scrolling social media. This shift from active to passive earning mechanisms lowers the barrier to entry for cryptocurrency adoption, particularly for those who may find direct investment intimidating, according to Bitcoin World.

A key driver of the acquisition is the acceleration of Lightning Network integration for withdrawals. The Layer 2 protocol addresses Bitcoin's scalability challenges by enabling off-chain transactions that are later settled on the main blockchain. For small, frequent rewards, this reduces transaction costs and processing times compared to on-chain transactions. "Lightning makes small withdrawals economically viable in a way Layer-1 transactions never could," the Lolli team stated in a blog post. The move aligns with broader industry efforts to make Bitcoin more practical for everyday use, such as micro-transactions and peer-to-peer payments.

However, the partnership between Lolli and Thesis has not been without controversy. Thesis recently faced backlash for integrating Mezo, an EVM-compatible Bitcoin sidechain, as a withdrawal option. Critics, including Bitcoin commentator Jason Don (Brekkie von Bitcoin), accused the firm of inadequate transparency, noting users were not warned about changes to withdrawal systems. "We can apparently still 'withdraw' our bitcoin but it requires us to onboard to a stable coin walled garden to do so? Absurd," Don wrote on X. In response, Thesis founder Matt Luongo acknowledged the need to introduce onchain withdrawal options but emphasized the company is "starting with L2s and sidechains" after lessons learned from Fold's development, as reported by The Block.

The acquisition also highlights Thesis's broader strategy to unify Bitcoin rewards platforms. By consolidating services like Lolli and Slice, the firm aims to streamline user experiences and amplify earning potential. Luongo noted that rebuilding Lolli's infrastructure post-acquisition has been a priority, with the team methodically re-releasing updated app versions to address technical limitations inherited from the platform's 2018 launch, according to coverage in The Block.

Lolli, which raised $8 million in a 2023 Series B round led by Bitkraft Ventures, has secured over $28 million in total funding to date, per reporting by The Block. The acquisition of Slice-while financially undisclosed-positions the combined entity to compete more effectively in a rapidly evolving market. Analysts suggest that the integration of passive earning models and Lightning Network scalability could catalyze broader adoption, particularly as institutional interest in Bitcoin grows.

As the rollout of Slice's features progresses, users can expect to see expanded earning avenues in the coming months. The partnership underscores a shift in the crypto industry from speculative trading to practical utility, with Bitcoin rewards becoming increasingly accessible for everyday internet use.