Blink
Blink is a Bitcoin Lightning Network wallet serving unbanked users, merchants, and grassroots circular economy communities globally, offering custodial and non-custodial modes, USD balance via Stablesats, merchant PoS tools, and a Visa debit card.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersAntiguo Cuscatlán, El Salvador
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Blink does
Blink is a Bitcoin Lightning Network wallet platform operating from El Zonte, El Salvador, with affiliated regulated entities in Próspera ZEDE (Honduras) and Wyoming (United States). The company provides a mobile Bitcoin wallet that supports both Custodial Mode (managed by Blink) and Non-Custodial Mode (via Lightspark's Spark federated state chain protocol), enabling instant Lightning payments, on-chain Bitcoin transfers, and USD-equivalent balance through Stablesats hedging technology. The platform is distributed across Apple App Store, Google Play, Huawei App Gallery, GitHub APK releases, and Zapstore, and includes merchant tools (Point of Sale, Lightning Address, Paycode, batch payments), a Visa-branded prepaid debit card (Blink Card) issued by Third National LLC, social referral features (Circles), and an in-app educational Earn section that rewards users with sats for completing Bitcoin quizzes.
The product architecture pairs a consumer-facing wallet with a public GraphQL API at dev.blink.sv supporting OAuth2, webhooks, websocket connections, and AI Agent API integration, allowing developers to embed Lightning and on-chain payments into third-party applications via integrations with BTCPay Server, WooCommerce, Alby, and LNbits. The open-source codebase is built on a Lightning development platform maintained by Blink itself, and the wallet supports 10+ languages with 30+ display currencies. Blink operates as the wallet of choice for 15+ grassroots Bitcoin circular economy communities spanning El Salvador, Guatemala, Peru, Honduras, Namibia, Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Suriname, Dominican Republic, Madeira, Bolivia, Zambia, and Burundi, and is integrated into the government of Próspera ZEDE for tax and fee payments.
Revenue is generated through a usage-based model: ~0.02% routing fees on outgoing Lightning payments to external wallets, ~0.2% spread on Stablesats BTC/USD conversions, interchange from the Blink Card program, and zero fees on Blink-to-Blink (intraledger) transfers. The freemium pricing structure targets unbanked individuals, merchants and small businesses, remittance senders/receivers, developers, Bitcoin enthusiasts with self-custody preferences, and government entities — with bottom-up adoption driven by Bitcoin circular economy communities rather than traditional enterprise sales channels.
Blink firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blink
- Legal name
- Blink El Salvador, SOCIEDAD ANONIMA DE CAPITAL VARIABLE (S.A. de C.V.)
- Website
- https://www.blink.sv
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Blink is a Bitcoin Lightning Network wallet serving unbanked users, merchants, and grassroots circular economy communities globally, offering custodial and non-custodial modes, USD balance via Stablesats, merchant PoS tools, and a Visa debit card.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blink industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cryptocurrency Wallet
- akta.pro primary industry
- Super-App Wallets & Mini-Program Payments (FSAMAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- POS, SoftPOS & In-Person Acceptance Infrastructure (FSAGABAO), Omnichannel Commerce & Click-and-Collect Platforms (BPAMAGAL)
Keywords
Where Blink is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Antiguo Cuscatlán
- HQ country
- El Salvador
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Blink business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Lightning Transaction Fees: Blink charges routing fees for outgoing Lightning transactions (~0.02%). Intraledger (Blink-to-Blink) transactions are free. This is a usage-based revenue model based on transaction volume.
- Stablesats Conversion Spread: When users convert between Bitcoin and Dollar Balance (Stablesats), Blink earns approximately 0.2% spread. This applies to conversions in Custodial Mode.
- Blink Card Services: Revenue from the Blink Card (Visa-branded prepaid card) through interchange fees and potential future credit facilities. The card is issued by Third National, LLC with Signify Holdings as Program Manager.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free wallet for all users with zero fees for intraledger transactions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
Blink product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blink provides a Bitcoin wallet built on the Lightning Network that enables users to send, receive, buy, sell, and store Bitcoin and USD-equivalent balances. The platform offers custodial and non-custodial (Spark) wallet modes, a Visa-branded debit card for spending balances, merchant point-of-sale tools, and a public GraphQL API for programmatic Bitcoin and Lightning payment integration by developers.
Product overview
Blink is a Bitcoin Lightning wallet platform offering a mobile wallet application, companion card, merchant tools, and public API. The core product is the Blink Wallet (formerly Bitcoin Beach Wallet) supporting both Custodial Mode with managed funds and Non-Custodial Mode via Spark protocol with full self-custody. The platform includes Dollar Balance powered by Stablesats for USD stability, the Visa-branded Blink Card for spending, Circles social features, Earn educational rewards, and a Point of Sale cash register for merchants. A public GraphQL API enables developers to integrate Lightning payments into third-party applications. The ecosystem spans from individual users to merchants and developers, with support for multiple languages and 30+ display currencies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Blink Wallet Mobile Bitcoin and Lightning wallet enabling send/receive of Bitcoin via Lightning Network and on-chain transactions. Supports both Custodial Mode (managed by Blink) and Non-Custodial Mode (Spark) with full self-custody. Includes USD balance, Lightning Address, merchant tools, and integration with Blink Card.
- Dollar Balance (Stablesats) USD-denominated stable balance feature using Stablesats hedging technology in Custodial Mode (maintains USD-equivalent value through third-party platform hedging positions) and stablecoin tokens in Non-Custodial Mode via Spark protocol.
- Blink Card Visa-branded debit card issued by Third National LLC enabling users to spend their Blink Wallet balance wherever Visa is accepted. Currently operates in Funded Mode (prepaid); Credit Mode with collateral-backed credit planned.
- Spark (Non-Custodial Mode) Non-custodial wallet mode built on Lightspark's federated state chain Layer 2 protocol. Users hold cryptographic keys via Backup Phrase; Blink cannot access, freeze, or recover funds. Supports Bitcoin and stablecoins with full self-custody.
- Blink API Public GraphQL API enabling programmatic access to Lightning and on-chain Bitcoin transactions, Stablesats conversions, and wallet management. Supports webhooks, websocket connections, OAuth2, and AI agent integrations. Available in Custodial Mode only; not available to US users.
- Merchant Point of Sale / Cash Register Web-based Point of Sale application enabling merchants to accept Bitcoin and Lightning payments. Includes merchant map feature displaying nearby Bitcoin-accepting businesses. Includes batch payments for distributing sats to multiple recipients.
Quantifiable outcome
- Zero-fee transfers between Blink users; ~0.02% routing fee for external Lightning payments vs 2-5% for credit cards
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Blink
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Blink technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration13 records
AI capability3 records
Feature12 records
Blink partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- BTCPay ServercoreBTCPay Server is integrated with Blink for Bitcoin payment processing. Case study shows 25 merchants in Prague onboarded using BTCPay Server + Blink, achieving 1.3 million CZK in revenue and 7,079 transactions.
- AlbycoreAlby Browser Extension integrates with Blink, allowing Android users to connect their Blink wallet to web applications. Also available as LNbits funding source.
- LNbitscoreBlink can be set as a funding source for LNbits, enabling users to connect their Blink wallet to LNbits instances for additional Lightning functionality.
- BTCPay PlugincoreBlink provides a BTCPay Server plugin for easy integration of Blink as a payment gateway within the BTCPay Server ecosystem.
- SumsubcoreIdentity verification provider used by Blink for KYC/AML screening. Sumsub performs identity verification by comparing facial scan data from selfies/videos with government-issued ID documents, evaluating document authenticity, and conducting liveness detection. Processes biometric data (facial geometry) on secure servers in European data centers.
- Onfido (Entrust)coreIdentity verification provider (now part of Entrust) used by Blink for KYC/AML screening. Onfido verifies identity by comparing facial scan data with government ID documents, detecting document tampering, and conducting liveness detection. May use facial scan data to determine if previously verified on Blink's behalf.
- Third National, LLC (Issuing Bank)coreThird National, LLC is the Issuing Bank for the Blink Card (Visa-branded prepaid card). It is a lender licensed by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Provides card issuance, transaction settlement, and credit facility (Credit Mode) under its licensing.
- Signify Holdings, Inc.coreSignify Holdings, Inc. acts as the Program Manager and issuing sponsor for the Blink Card. Manages the card program including fraud prevention, regulatory compliance, and card network relationships.
- Spark Protocol (Lightspark)coreThe Non-Custodial Mode in Blink uses the Spark protocol, a federated state chain Layer 2 protocol built on Bitcoin, developed by Lightspark. Enables users to hold Bitcoin with self-custody while enjoying Lightning Network benefits.
- VisacoreThe Blink Card operates on the Visa payment network, enabling users to spend their Bitcoin/Dollar Balance wherever Visa is accepted globally.
- Bitcoin BeachflagshipThe original Bitcoin circular economy project in El Zonte, El Salvador that evolved into Blink wallet. Bitcoin Beach remains a flagship community and proof-of-concept for bottom-up Bitcoin adoption.
- Bitcoin Lake (Guatemala)coreBitcoin circular economy initiative in Guatemala using Blink as the primary wallet for local Bitcoin adoption.
- Bitcoin Ekasi (South Africa)coreBitcoin circular economy in South Africa that has demonstrated Blink's batch payment capabilities by sending 771 transactions in under 40 minutes.
- Próspera (Honduras)flagshipPróspera ZEDE in Honduras accepts Bitcoin (both Mainnet and Lightning) for government taxes and fees via Blink. Users can pay taxes entirely in Bitcoin for the first time in history. Blink LLC is incorporated under Próspera law.
- StablesatscoreStablesats is the technology underlying Blink's Dollar Balance feature, maintaining USD-equivalent value through hedging positions on third-party platforms. Blink integrates Stablesats to enable stable USD balances without stablecoins.
- Bitcoin Berlin SVcoreBitcoin circular economy in El Salvador using Blink's cash register app for merchant Bitcoin payments, with 4 new merchants onboarded in 48 hours.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Blink competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Strike: Strike is a Bitcoin-native payments app built on the Lightning Network, offering consumer and merchant payment tools, BTC and USD balance features, and global remittance flows. It is the most direct functional peer to Blink and competes in the same merchant and cross-border payment use cases.
- BlueWallet: BlueWallet is a Bitcoin wallet supporting Lightning and on-chain transactions with custodial and non-custodial vaults. It targets a similar technically-engaged Bitcoin user base and offers Lightning functionality comparable to Blink's core wallet.
- Muun Wallet: Muun is a self-custodial Bitcoin and Lightning wallet known for its simple UX and submarine swap-based Lightning integration. It targets a similar global consumer and emerging-market audience as Blink, and is often benchmarked alongside Blink in Bitcoin circular economy communities.
- Breez Wallet: Breez is a non-custodial Bitcoin and Lightning wallet with a strong developer and merchant toolkit, including point-of-sale functionality. It overlaps directly with Blink's merchant POS and API-driven Lightning payments offerings.
- Wallet of Satoshi: Wallet of Satoshi is a custodial Lightning wallet focused on simple consumer and merchant payments. It competes head-to-head with Blink's Custodial Mode in the same merchant onboarding and pay-with-Bitcoin UX category.
- Phoenix Wallet (ACINQ): Phoenix is a non-custodial Lightning wallet by ACINQ that auto-manages Lightning channels for end users. It serves the same self-custody-focused Bitcoin enthusiast segment that uses Blink's Non-Custodial (Spark) mode.
Broad incumbents
- Swan Bitcoin: Swan Bitcoin is a Bitcoin financial services platform offering recurring purchases, custody, and BTC-backed lending. While Swan focuses more on accumulation than payments, it serves a similar Bitcoin-first retail audience and competes for the same ideological segment.
- Cash App (Block, Inc.): Cash App integrates Bitcoin buying, selling, sending, and receiving with mainstream fiat banking for tens of millions of US users. It is a broad incumbent offering overlapping Bitcoin wallet functionality with much larger scale and fiat rails Blink does not match in the US.
- River Financial: River is a US-licensed Bitcoin-focused financial services platform offering Bitcoin brokerage, custody, and Lightning payments. It serves a more institutional US customer base but overlaps with Blink's Lightning payments and merchant use cases.
Regional players
- Relai: Relai is a European Bitcoin wallet app focused on simple Bitcoin buying, selling, and self-custody for European users. It is comparable to Blink's non-US emerging-market orientation but is geographically concentrated in Europe rather than Latin America and Africa.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Blink social profiles
Digital presenceBlink compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Blink financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blink leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Blink funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blink 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 Blink
What does Blink do?
Blink provides a Bitcoin wallet built on the Lightning Network that enables users to send, receive, buy, sell, and store Bitcoin and USD-equivalent balances. The platform offers custodial and non-custodial (Spark) wallet modes, a Visa-branded debit card for spending balances, merchant point-of-sale tools, and a public GraphQL API for programmatic Bitcoin and Lightning payment integration by developers.
Is Blink a public or private company?
Blink is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Blink founded?
Blink was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Blink based?
Blink is headquartered in Antiguo Cuscatlán, El Salvador, in the Latin America region.
How does Blink make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Lightning Transaction Fees are the primary driver. The others are stablesats Conversion Spread and blink Card Services.
Who are Blink's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Strike, BlueWallet, Muun Wallet, Breez Wallet, Wallet of Satoshi and Phoenix Wallet (ACINQ). Broad incumbents are Swan Bitcoin, Cash App (Block, Inc.) and River Financial. Relai is listed as a regional player.
Does Blink have an API?
Yes. Blink provides a public GraphQL API enabling developers to programmatically send and receive Bitcoin and Stablesats via Lightning Network and on-chain transactions, manage wallet balances, and integrate Blink services into third-party applications. Available in Custodial Mode only. Features include LN Invoice Decoder, Self-Host options, OAuth2 Integration, Webhooks, Websocket Connection, LLM API Reference, and AI Agent API Playbook. Registration requires phone number (unavailable in US and some countries) and email. Zero fee for Blink-to-Blink transactions; Lightning outgoing routing fees ~0.02%; on-chain deposits 0% for payments over 1M sats; Stablesats conversion 0.2% spread with no fees. API documentation available at dev.blink.sv with public API reference and interactive tutorials. Developer documentation is at dev.blink.sv.
What industry is Blink in?
Blink's product category is Cryptocurrency Wallet. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMAEAE, Super-App Wallets & Mini-Program Payments, with a secondary code of FSAGABAO, POS, SoftPOS & In-Person Acceptance Infrastructure.