How to use Bitcoin Lightning!
Install a Lightning Wallet
A wallet is just an app that holds your Bitcoin. Look for one that says it supports Lightning. There are two kinds:
- Custodial — the app holds your Bitcoin for you. Easiest to start with, works like any payment app.
- Self-custodial — you hold your own Bitcoin, with a recovery phrase to write down. More responsibility, more control.
Either works for buying here. Pick one that’s available where you live — these all let you buy Bitcoin right inside the app, so there’s no separate exchange step.
United States
Strike
Bitcoin-focused app with excellent Lightning support and no sending limits. Buy in-app and pay straight from your balance.
strike.meRiver
US Bitcoin-only company. Buy, send and receive on-chain or over Lightning in one place, with published Proof of Reserves
river.comCash App
Lightning is built in - no new app needed. Capped at $999 per 7 days over Lightning, and no offered in New York.
cash.appCoinbase
The main Coinbase app can pay Lightning invoices (like ours). Use Coinbase app, no Coinbase Wallet -that one doesn't do Lightning.
coinbase.com🇨🇦 Canada & most other countries
Phoenix
Made by ACINQ. You hold your own keys, but it handles Lightning for you automatically. Not available in the US.
phoenix.acinq.coWallet of Satoshi
Built for zero setup -download and pay. Offers self-custodial and custodial modes, showing whichever is available where you live.
walletofsatoshi.comStrike
Also available in Canada, the UK, Europe, Latin America and more. Buy in-app, pay Lightning invoices with no limits.
strike.meThese are popular choices at the time of writing, not endorsements — wallets change their fees, features, and country availability. Only ever download from the official site or app store, and double-check the web address: fake wallet sites are common.
Custodial apps need an account. Cash App and Strike are regulated financial apps, so expect to sign up and verify your identity with them. Phoenix and Wallet of Satoshi's self-custodial mode let you start without an account. Either way, this store never asks you to register
Write down your recovery phrase. If your wallet gives you a list of words during setup, that's the only way to recover your money if you lose your phone. Keep it offline, on paper, and never type it into a website — not even for "support."
How to Buy a Video!
You don't need to understand Bitcoin to buy a video with it. You need an app, a scan, and a tap. Here's the whole thing!
Put a little Bitcoin in it
You only need enough to cover what you’re buying — there’s no minimum to hold and no reason to buy more than you’ll spend.
Many wallets let you buy Bitcoin directly inside the app with a card or bank transfer.
Or buy on an exchange and withdraw to your wallet. If you do, withdraw over Lightning where possible — an on-chain withdrawal costs a network fee.
Amounts are shown in sats. A sat is the smallest piece of a Bitcoin: 100,000,000 sats make 1 BTC. A $15 purchase is roughly ten to twenty thousand sats, depending on the exchange rate that day.
Step 1 - Select a Video
Once you find the video you wish to purchase, input your email address into the field. Its important to put a valid email, as the download link will be emailed to you!!! Once you click BUY WITH CRYPTO BUTTON you'll be presented with a QR code as seen below. IMPORTANT: SELECT LIGHTNING ON THE PAGE!!!
Once you select LIGHTNING you'll see a new QR CODE for Lightning:
Now if you already have a lightning app (Cash.App or Strike works perfectly) you can scan the QR code with it! If you need more help on those specific apps, keep reading below.
Using Cash.App
The following video will show you how to use Cash.App.
Cash App's Support Page on How to Send LightningUsing STRIKE App
Strike's FAQ PageCheck out the Strike FAQ Page link above. Scan the below QR code with your Mobile Device:
After Sending Bitcoin
If for some reason you sent it without Lightning, the Bitcoin transfer can take up to an hour or longer to process. If you did it with the lightning network you should see something like this video:
Once this is completed, you will get a THANK YOU PAGE. If you used Lightning then you should get a download link instantly on the Thank You Page:
If you did it correctly and it was sent via the Lightning network, you should get a THANK YOU PAGE with the link. You will also receive an email with the link.
