Key Takeaways
- Boltz's BTCPay Plugin allows merchants to accept Lightning payments and non-custodially swap them to Liquid bitcoin and then to on-chain bitcoin without running a node.
- This plugin is the first non-custodial solution that alleviates the complexities of managing a Lightning node for merchants.
- Although still in open beta, the plugin has been successfully tested in real-world scenarios, including by the online vendor Strainly.
Boltz Introduces Non-Custodial Lightning Payment Plugin
The Boltz BTCPay Plugin enables merchants to accept Lightning payments and automatically swap them to Liquid BTC.
This plugin is designed to allow merchants to operate without the need for running a Lightning node, reducing complexity.
Using Liquid Swaps, Boltz BTCPay Plugin users can also swap bitcoin back to the mainchain if they prefer.
Merchants can use the plugin's integrated wallet system to manage both Liquid and mainchain wallets with ease.
Simplifying Node Management for Merchants
Boltz developed the plugin to alleviate the technical challenges of running and managing a Lightning node, especially for merchants.
The "Nodeless" mode uses Liquid Swaps to automatically convert Lightning payments to Liquid without requiring merchants to handle node operations.
Boltz CTO Michael highlighted how the plugin simplifies "channel management" and inbound liquidity, which are typically difficult to manage.
Beta Testing and Real-World Use Cases
While still in open beta, the plugin has successfully processed thousands of transactions in real-world scenarios.
Strainly, an online vendor, tested the plugin for a month and found it to be a "game-changer" compared to previous custodial solutions.
Despite its success, Boltz advises users to proceed with caution as the plugin may still contain bugs during this testing phase.
