Bitcoin payments, instant.

Blockstream builds two ways to run Lightning: the implementation that powers routing nodes, and hosted nodes for everyone else.

Core Lightning Greenlight
Core Lightning

The implementation behind routing nodes.

Core Lightning is Blockstream's implementation of the Lightning Network, written in C. It follows the Lightning BOLT specifications and is built for the performance and reliability that production routing nodes demand.

corelightning.org View on GitHub
Spec-compliant
Follows the Lightning BOLT specifications, so it interoperates across the network.
Plugin architecture
A modular core that extends through plugins, so node operators add only what they need.
Performance-focused
Engineered for the throughput and uptime that production routing nodes run on.
Open source
Fully open, published on GitHub, and yours to read, build, and audit.
Greenlight

Hosted Lightning, keys stay with the user.

Greenlight runs the Lightning infrastructure while the keys stay on the user's device, so a node stays self-custodial without anyone operating it. A developer SDK lets applications add Lightning without running a node of their own.

View on GitHub For developers
1
Blockstream runs the node
The Lightning infrastructure is hosted and maintained, so there is no server to operate.
2
Keys stay on the device
Signing happens on the user's device. The hosted node never holds the keys, so it stays self-custodial.
3
Apps integrate with the SDK
A developer SDK adds Lightning payments to an application without running a node.
Get started

Lightning, in an app or in your code.

Blockstream App

Lightning in your pocket

Send and receive over Lightning in the Blockstream app, alongside Bitcoin and Liquid, self-custodial by default.

Explore the app Developers

Build on Lightning

Core Lightning, the Greenlight SDK, and the rest of Blockstream's open-source stack, with the docs to start.

Developer hub