Bitcoin Lightning Network is now supported by Binance

Adoption of Bitcoin’s leading scaling solution, Lightning Network, has steadily grown since 2020, with Binance now on board

article-image

Mia Stendal/Shutterstock modified by Blockworks

share

Crypto exchange Binance enabled deposits and withdrawals on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network on Monday.

Lightning is now alongside other options including Bitcoin mainnet, BNB Smart Chain and Ethereum.

Lightning serves as a layer-2 scaling solution for Bitcoin. The network is intended to speed up transactions and reduce fees, reminiscent of Ethereum layer-2 protocols like Optimism.

It supports direct payment channels between users, allowing bitcoin (BTC) to be sent off-chain while settling on-chain in batches. This design has presented its own risk profile, with Lightning developers warning users that the software is still under development.

“Most software deployed in the Lightning Network is still considered beta software, meaning it may contain bugs that could lead to irrevocable loss of funds. For most operators, the biggest risks are data loss from power outages, hardware failures and bugs,” per Lightning’s FAQ.

Bitcoin sent over Lightning should appear in seconds, with the network often used for micropayments and real-world transactions. Twitter, for instance, enabled BTC tipping in 2021 via payments app Strike, which uses Lightning.

Binance pledged to integrate Lightning last month but said doing so required further technical work.

Other exchanges such as Bitfinex, Kraken, River Financial and OKX have already integrated Lightning into their platforms. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong in April hinted that his platform may do the same but hasn’t yet provided a specific timeline.

Lightning adoption has steadily increased over the past few years, although it hasn’t been without hiccups. There’s about 4,900 BTC ($148.2 million) on the network right now — up from under 1,000 BTC ($30.2 million) in 2020.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 24 - 26, 2026

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Unlocked by Template (1).jpg

Research

As AI supercharges surveillance, privacy becomes a prerequisite and the winning stack will combine confidentiality with selective disclosure. Zcash’s Tachyon, composable standards on Ethereum/Solana, and compliance-aware pools aim to make private rails the new norm.

article-image

Pineapple begins deploying its $100 million Injective Digital Asset Treasury, staking INJ to earn yield and fund onchain mortgage ambitions

by Blockworks /
article-image

Staking levels in the ether funds will depend on protocol unstaking queue times and anticipated redemption activity, firm says

article-image

ETF inflows, miner strength, and tightening supply drive Bitcoin past its prior peak amid renewed demand for scarce assets

by Blockworks /
article-image

The Guidestar team, led by Alex Nezlobin, will join Uniswap Labs to enhance automated market maker design and smart order routing

by Blockworks /
article-image

Zac Prince spearheads Galaxy’s push into consumer banking with high-yield cash, crypto, and stock trading features

by Blockworks /