Shopify to integrate Lightning Network via Strike partnerships

Strike CEO Jack Mallers presented several partnerships for a Lightning Network-based payments app operator that would enable Bitcoin integration into US retail networks, according to Bitcoin Magazine.

At the Bitcoin 2022 conference, he spoke about Strike’s collaboration with e-commerce giant Shopify, the POS-terminal provider NCR and the payments company Blackhawk Network.

According to Mallers, the integration would cut banks from settlements. This would deliver savings on fees for merchants and privacy for customers.

“You’ll be able to walk into a grocery store, Whole Foods, Chipotle, and, if you want to use a Lightning node, you simply do so. Any online merchant using Shopify can accept payments without the legacy card networks, receive them instantly, ultimately without intermediaries, without a 3% fee,” Mallers said.

He added that he is working with policymakers, notably Senator Cynthia Lummis, to ensure the prospects for promoting the Bitcoin-based payment standard.

In 2021, Strike added a feature to convert salaries into Bitcoin for US users.