Bitcoin News Today: SoFi Becomes First U.S. Bank to Integrate Bitcoin Lightning for Global Payments

SoFi Technologies has made a groundbreaking move by becoming the first U.S. bank to integrate the Bitcoin Lightning Network and Universal Money Addresses (UMA), in partnership with Lightspark. This development will enable the digital bank’s 11.7 million members to send international payments through a blockchain-powered service that leverages Bitcoin’s speed and low cost. The new service, set to launch later this year, initially targets Mexico and aims to compete in the $740.5 billion global remittance market in 2024 [1].

Under the integration, users will be able to convert U.S. dollars to Bitcoin in real-time, send the funds using the Lightning Network, and have the money delivered directly to the recipient’s local bank account. UMA, developed by Lightspark, facilitates this process by allowing transfers via email-like addresses, streamlining cross-border transactions and reducing dependence on traditional banking infrastructure [2].

According to SoFi CEO Anthony Noto, the service offers a more convenient and cost-effective solution for users who frequently send money abroad. He emphasized that the platform will display exchange rates and fees before a transaction is finalized, ensuring transparency [3].

Lightspark, co-founded in 2022 by David Marcus— of PayPal—has already demonstrated success in the space. Earlier in 2024, Coinbase integrated Lightspark’s Bitcoin infrastructure, with 15% of Bitcoin transactions processed through the Lightning Network via Lightspark in the first 12 months [4]. This adoption underscores the increasing utility of Lightning-based solutions in digital payments.

SoFi’s initiative aligns with growing interest in Bitcoin-based remittance systems, particularly in Latin America. For example, Brazilian neobank Nubank partnered with Lightspark in June 2024 to offer Bitcoin Lightning payments to its 100 million customers, though the system is yet to be confirmed as fully operational [5]. In contrast, SoFi has already seen significant demand, as evidenced by its waitlist [6].

The service will be available 24/7 and aims to provide an alternative to traditional money transfer methods, which often involve high fees and slow processing times. By integrating UMA and the Lightning Network, SoFi is not only advancing technical innovation but also responding to the rising demand for fast, transparent cross-border payments. Through its collaboration with Lightspark, SoFi positions itself as a leader in financial technology, setting a new benchmark for digital banks in the U.S. market [7].

Sources:

[1] Cointelegraph, https://cointelegraph.com/news/sofi-set-first-us-bank-leveraging-bitcoin-lightning

[2] CoinDesk, https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/08/19/sofi-taps-bitcoin-lightning-network-for-global-remittances-with-lightspark

[3] AInvest, https://www.ainvest.com/news/sofi-integrates-bitcoin-lightning-instant-cost-global-transfers-2508/

[4] CoinCentral, https://coincentral.com/sofi-technologies-sofi-stock-slips-as-it-unveils-bitcoin-backed-global-payments-via-lightspark/

[5] Investing.com, https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/sofi-to-launch-blockchainpowered-international-money-transfers-93CH-4200184

[6] PYMNTS.com, https://www.pymnts.com/blockchain/2025/sofi-and-lightspark-team-on-blockchain-powered-remittances/

[7] Bitget, https://www.bitget.com/news/detail/12560604919707