Qi
Qi Digital is a London-based blockchain technology company providing crypto payment processing (Coinway), Bitcoin Lightning Network services (Bolt), payment links (Cend), and managed blockchain cloud (Qi3.space) to PSPs, payment gateways, merchants, and developers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Qi does
Qi Digital, founded in London in 2016 by Mann Matharu, is a private blockchain technology company that provides crypto payment processing and blockchain infrastructure to payment service providers (PSPs), payment gateways, eCommerce platforms, merchants, and developers. The company operates a portfolio of five products: Coinway, a white-label blockchain-agnostic crypto payment gateway supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins with optional crypto-to-fiat conversion via Bitstamp; Bolt, a Bitcoin Lightning Network management and Lightning-as-a-Service platform; Cend, a crypto payment link generator; Qi3.space, a managed blockchain cloud service supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Stellar; and Grid, a product listed on the site without a dedicated page.
Qi's core technology is the Synergy API, a blockchain-connected API with Web3 functionality that allows PSPs, gateways, and developers to embed digital currency acceptance into existing platforms. Distribution is delivered through direct enterprise sales, white-label/OEM partnerships (e.g., Cardstream), reseller channels (e.g., Taylr.io for UK SMEs), and developer-focused plugins for WooCommerce and Shopify. The company earns revenue through transaction fees on crypto payment processing, subscription or usage-based fees for managed blockchain cloud services, and licensing/royalty arrangements with white-label and reseller partners. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.
Operationally, Qi runs a lean team of 1-10 employees headquartered at 128 City Road, London, with engineering presence in the Netherlands, Australia, and India as part of a "Global Innovation Team." The company is bootstrapped with three disclosed Crowdcube funding rounds (2020, 2021, 2022) totaling approximately $1.2M and no institutional venture backing. In July 2025, Qi partnered with Ant International to launch SuperQi, a digital banking and lifestyle super app in Iraq, marking a step into emerging-market financial inclusion at national scale.
Qi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Qi
- Legal name
- Qi Digital Limited
- Website
- https://qidigital.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Qi Digital is a London-based blockchain technology company providing crypto payment processing (Coinway), Bitcoin Lightning Network services (Bolt), payment links (Cend), and managed blockchain cloud (Qi3.space) to PSPs, payment gateways, merchants, and developers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Qi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Blockchain Payment Processing
- NAICS
- Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (52232), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199), Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise Payments & Tokenized Money (stablecoins, tokenized deposits, CBDC rails) (FSAPAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Invoice, Billing & Subscription Payments (Crypto) (FSADAIAG), Permissioned Blockchain Platforms & Frameworks (Hyperledger, Corda, Quorum) (FSAPAIAA), POS, QR & In-Person Acceptance Infrastructure (Crypto) (FSADAIAI)
Keywords
Where Qi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Qi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Crypto Payment Processing: Qi Digital charges transaction fees for processing cryptocurrency payments through the Coinway gateway. Merchants pay a fee per transaction when accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Stablecoins, with optional crypto-to-fiat conversion through Bitstamp.
- Blockchain Cloud Services: Qi3.space provides managed blockchain cloud infrastructure on a subscription or usage basis, enabling enterprises to access blockchain tools and environments without managing their own hardware.
- White-Label and Reseller Partnerships: Qi Digital offers white-label crypto processing solutions to PSPs, payment gateways, and reseller partners, who integrate and resell Qi technology to merchants under their own branding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Custom enterprise pricing for PSPs, gateways, and large merchants |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Qi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Qi Digital provides blockchain-agnostic crypto payment processing infrastructure for merchants, payment service providers, and developers. Its product suite (Coinway, Bolt, Cend, Qi3.space) and the Synergy API enable businesses to accept, process, and manage Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoin payments, deploy Bitcoin Lightning Network applications, and access managed blockchain cloud services, with optional FCA-regulated crypto-to-fiat conversion via Bitstamp.
Product overview
Qi Digital is a blockchain technology company offering a suite of crypto payment and blockchain infrastructure products. Its portfolio consists of five named offerings: Coinway (white-label crypto payment gateway for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins), Bolt (Bitcoin Lightning Network management and Lightning-as-a-Service), Cend (crypto payment link generator), Qi3.space (managed blockchain cloud services), and Grid (product listed in navigation with no dedicated page). The products are designed for merchants, PSPs, payment gateways, fintech startups, developers, eCommerce platforms, and enterprises seeking to accept or process cryptocurrency payments. Qi positions itself as a 'legacy-inclusive' bridge between traditional and blockchain-based financial systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Coinway: A white-label crypto payment gateway engineered for integration partners and merchants. It is a blockchain-agnostic platform that supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and various Stablecoins.
- Bolt
- Cend
- Qi3.space
- Grid
Products and services
- Coinway
- Bolt
- Cend
- Qi3.space
- Grid
- Synergy API
- SuperQi App
Quantifiable outcome
- SuperQi aims to increase Iraq's banked population from approximately 5% to nearly 50%
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Qi
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Qi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature6 records
Qi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BitstampcoreBitstamp, a globally recognised FCA-registered crypto exchange, provides crypto-to-fiat conversion services integrated into Qi Digital's Coinway platform. This enables merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments with optional automatic conversion to fiat currency, ensuring regulatory compliance and reducing exposure to crypto volatility.
- CardstreamcoreCardstream, the UK's largest independent payment gateway provider, has integrated Qi Digital's crypto technology to enable its reseller partners and merchants to accept digital currencies. This partnership extends Cardstream's payment offerings into the cryptocurrency space.
- Brunel University LondoncoreQi Digital's collaboration with Brunel University London has been instrumental in advancing its blockchain technology initiatives. The partnership includes guest lectures on blockchain technology, collaborative AI labs exploring AI, quantum computing, and blockchain integration, co-authored research papers on emerging technologies, and roundtable discussions merging industry and academic expertise.
- Co-InnovateminorCo-Innovate delivers innovative support services for SMEs, entrepreneurs, and start-ups in London, combining collaboration and innovation with access to Brunel University academic expertise and student talent. Qi Digital is recognised as Business Ambassadors of Co-Innovate.
- Innovate UKminorInnovate UK (IUK), part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK's innovation agency fostering company growth through innovative products, processes, and services. Qi Digital was invited to and successfully completed the IUK Edge High Growth program in July 2024.
- Ant InternationalcoreQi and Ant International joined forces to launch SuperQi, a comprehensive digital banking and lifestyle platform in Iraq in July 2025. The app integrates Western digital banking models with Asia's leading super apps, aiming to increase financial inclusion and serve over 30% of Iraq's population by 2026.
- Taylr.iocoreQi Digital partnered with Taylr.io on 3rd April 2025 to accelerate crypto payments to SME businesses in the UK. The partnership is designed to help SMEs access cryptocurrency payment capabilities.
- Brunel University London AI Edge LabminorQi Digital partners with Brunel University London's AI Edge Lab for blockchain innovation, supporting cutting-edge AI solutions for the blockchain industry as it continues to evolve and disrupt various sectors.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Qi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CoinsPaid: CoinsPaid offers crypto payment processing and a payments ecosystem for merchants and PSPs, including white-label solutions. Direct overlap with Qi's Coinway gateway and PSP reseller motion.
- BitPay: One of the longest-established crypto payment processors, offering merchant invoicing, settlement, and fiat conversion. Overlaps directly with Coinway on Bitcoin/stablecoin acceptance and crypto-to-fiat settlement.
- TripleA: TripleA provides a licensed crypto payment gateway for businesses, with strong presence in Southeast Asia and emerging markets. Comparable to Qi's emerging-markets focus (e.g., SuperQi in Iraq) and merchant acceptance model.
- CoinGate: CoinGate provides a crypto payment gateway supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a wide range of altcoins, with POS and eCommerce plugins. Closely comparable to Qi's multi-chain merchant acceptance and plugin-based integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce).
- Coinbase Commerce: Coinbase's merchant-focused crypto payment gateway enables online businesses to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins. Directly comparable to Qi's Coinway in product, target customer (merchants and eCommerce platforms), and value proposition.
- Alchemy Pay: Alchemy Pay provides crypto and fiat on/off-ramp and payment gateway services globally, including in emerging markets. Comparable to Qi's cross-border crypto acceptance and emerging-markets strategy.
- BTCPay Server: Open-source, self-hosted Bitcoin and Lightning payment processor for merchants. Comparable to Qi's Bolt and Coinway in addressing merchant crypto acceptance, with stronger Lightning focus.
- NOWPayments: NOWPayments offers a crypto payment gateway with broad coin support, fiat settlement options, and a white-label/reseller product. Direct competitor to Qi on the white-label and PSP-facing side of the crypto processing market.
Broad incumbents
- Circle: Issuer of USDC stablecoin and provider of treasury, payments, and on-chain settlement infrastructure. Adjacent rather than direct competitor; Qi's stablecoin acceptance via Bitstamp and infrastructure layer overlap with Circle's rails.
- Binance Pay: Binance's crypto payments product enables merchants to accept crypto from Binance users globally with zero fees. Operates as a broad incumbent in crypto payments; overlaps with Qi's merchant acceptance thesis, though Binance's distribution is consumer-wallet-led.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Qi social profiles
Digital presenceQi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Qi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Qi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Qi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Qi
What does Qi do?
Qi Digital provides blockchain-agnostic crypto payment processing infrastructure for merchants, payment service providers, and developers. Its product suite (Coinway, Bolt, Cend, Qi3.space) and the Synergy API enable businesses to accept, process, and manage Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoin payments, deploy Bitcoin Lightning Network applications, and access managed blockchain cloud services, with optional FCA-regulated crypto-to-fiat conversion via Bitstamp.
Is Qi a public or private company?
Qi is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Qi founded?
Qi was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Qi based?
Qi is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Qi make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Crypto Payment Processing is the primary driver. The others are blockchain Cloud Services and white-Label and Reseller Partnerships.
Who are Qi's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CoinsPaid, BitPay, TripleA, CoinGate, Coinbase Commerce, Alchemy Pay, BTCPay Server and NOWPayments. Broad incumbents are Circle and Binance Pay.
Does Qi have an API?
Yes. Qi Digital offers the Synergy API, a blockchain-connected API that enables payment service providers (PSPs) and fintech partners to integrate digital currencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and various stablecoins) into their existing payment infrastructure. The Synergy API supports Web3 functionality integration, allowing merchants and PSPs to add crypto payment options. Qi also offers an open API allowing developers from various programming skill sets to integrate with any software stack, platform, mobile application, or eCommerce website.
What industry is Qi in?
Qi's product category is Blockchain Payment Processing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAPAIAJ, Enterprise Payments & Tokenized Money (stablecoins, tokenized deposits, CBDC rails), with a secondary code of FSADAIAG, Invoice, Billing & Subscription Payments (Crypto). Its NAICS code is 52232 and its SIC code is 6199.