Lightning Network app Strike touts new Visa card

Quick Take

  • Jack Mallers’ Strike has announced a new Visa card to pair with its crypto payments app.
  • The card will give users a way to earn rewards on crypto payments.

Strike, the crypto payments app built on the Lightning Network, announced a new Visa card that will offer spending rewards.

The company announced the launch on its Twitter Thursday evening, telling users they can now “take Strike anywhere and earn rewards on everyday spending.” The rollout will begin with a waitlist.

Strike is one of the better-known apps built on the Lightning Network, a Layer 2 protocol designed to speed up Bitcoin-based transactions. The app made headlines in April when CEO Jack Mallers announced a deal with Shopify that would allow merchants to take payment in crypto, but receive dollars.

In a series of tweets, Strike said users will be able to use the new card for direct deposits, to be paid in bitcoin, buy bitcoin, send and receive money, spend funds using Apple Pay and Google Pay, and earn rewards.

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It also said that 1% of all profits associated with the card will be donated to open-source Bitcoin development.

Lightning Labs, an entity that helps steer much of the development of the Lightning Network, raised $70 million in a Series B funding round in April, with backing from Valor Equity Partners and Baillie Gifford.


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About Author

Ryan Weeks is deals editor at the The Block, focused on fundraising, M&A and institutional trends in the crypto space, among other things. He is particularly interested in investigative work — so please send tips! Ryan previously worked at Financial News, Dow Jones as a fintech correspondent in London. Prior to that, he wrote for several different publications, including Sifted, AltFi and Wired. Beyond journalism, Ryan is a keen reader and writer. He enjoys all things active, especially running, rugby, climbing and tennis.