Breez Reveals Lightning-Powered Bitcoin Payments App for iPhone

Now in beta for the iPhone, Breez's app harnesses lighting, Neutrino and atomic swaps to make bitcoin P2P payments feasible for daily transactions.

AccessTimeIconJun 17, 2019 at 12:10 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 9:19 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Breez, a non-custodial wallet and payment platform, is launching its services for the iPhone. This is the first payment project built on Neutrino, a bitcoin lightning network client, according to the company announcement.

Additionally, Breez has resolved the issue of how to dispute purchases and receive refunds, “so it’s suitable for every kind of purchase right down to a cup of coffee or paying back a friend,” said company founder Roy Sheinfeld, in a statement.

When a user — whether an individual or a merchant — installs the app, Breez automatically opens a payment channel to the Breez hub, which is connected to other Lightning nodes, allowing users to transact with anyone on the network.

Both parties cryptographically sign an updated balance sheet whenever a transaction is made to reflect the changing amounts of Bitcoin stored in the parties’ respected wallets. When the transaction is finished, the resulting balances are registered on the blockchain. In the event of a dispute, both parties can use the most recently signed balance sheet to recover their share of the wallet.

The project, now in beta, builds on the success of Breez’s open network for Android, which the firm says gained hundreds of users in just two months. The beta for iPhone will initially be running on Apple Developer’s TestFlight, the publishing platform for beta apps. Sheinfeld said developing an iOS product allows the company access to around 98 percent of mobile users worldwide.

This announcement is concurrent with a $500,000 investment from Recruit Strategic Partners and Fulgur Ventures. Breez spokesperson Nishal Ratanji views the investment as validating the company’s vision for a “Lightning Economy,” where transactions happen without the expense and hassle of intermediaries such as banks, credit cards, online payment processors, and other custodians.

“Bitcoin has the potential to make all other mediums of exchange  – including crypto and fiat currency – obsolete,” said Sheinfeld. “Unfortunately, until other technologies caught up with it, bitcoin was expensive, cumbersome and difficult to move.”

The company states the additional capital will help develop Breez’s point-of-sale Lightning app used by merchants to accept bitcoin payments. Yuki Tanaka, Vice President at Recruit Strategic Partners and investor in Breez, anticipates "rapid uptake" of the POS technology in markets such as Japan.

Breez’ technology has undergone testing in sandboxes and other multi-tiered environments, according to the company.

Wallet photo via ShutterStock

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.