As a key bitcoin merchant serving people all over the world the top two requests we get are faster processing times and cheaper transaction fees. Lightning is a promising technology currently in development that will enable people to do instant bitcoin transactions at almost zero cost.

We’re happy to announce that we’ve completed integration with the lightning protocol, currently available for testing in testnet mode. Once Lightning becomes available for mainstream use on mainnet (with real bitcoins) we will stand ready to support users using Lightning immediately.

For the somewhat technically savvy users (you currently need to use a command line) — here are instructions for how to try this out on testnet. It’s safe to say there is still much to be done on the user experience of this, but it‘s enough to give you a feeling for what it will be like. There’s even a promo at the bottom for those that go through all the steps!

Check back at this page, we will update it with new developments, clients and tutorials as those become available. New things are coming out every day :)

Happy refilling!

Instructions: Try out lightning payments with Bitrefill on Testnet.

Disclaimer we have closed are testnet node and are now running on mainnet, please visit this link for mainnet instructions: https://medium.com/@bitrefill/mobile-instructions-lightning-on-bitrefill-8f21bbb0cc3

Note: Testnet is not real bitcoin, and real refills are not delivered this way.

Step 1) Install LND

Installation instructions are provided here: http://dev.lightning.community/guides/installation/

Step 2) Use LND as a light client using Neutrino

lnd --bitcoin.active --bitcoin.testnet --neutrino.active --noencryptwallet --no-macaroons

Step 3) Fund and Connect to our Lightning Node

Important: Wait until the sync above is complete.

Then generate an address:

lncli newaddress np2wkh

{

“address”: “2NBgf1QumPDq1PH5iNyrMwqq7bLm8VUU7sU”

}

Get some free testnet coins here: https://testnet.manu.backend.hamburg/faucet

Then connect to our node:

lncli connect 0387f3227bda3aeec3d21ce718706daf5a4a652628d75ce56f8d8a6a3451c40061@lnd.bitrefill.com

Step 4) Open a channel to our Lightning Node

After the funds from the faucet have confirmed in your lightning wallet:

lncli openchannel --node_key 0387f3227bda3aeec3d21ce718706daf5a4a652628d75ce56f8d8a6a3451c40061 --local_amt 16000000 --push_amt 0

This opens a channel with 16,000,000 satoshis that can be sent over this channel instantly.

(note in the feature we envision most of this happening in the background, but for the sake of demoing we are doing it manually)

Step 5) Visit our Test Lightning Website

https://bitrefill.com

To create a testnet lightning transaction visit: bitrefill.com

You can use this test number provided including the plus: +923012345678

But if you’re in a supported country you can actually just go ahead and use your own phone number!

Click on See Prices button and you’ll see the page below:

Choose a package and enter an email address.

Click the checkbox and click the to payment button.

Step 6) Copy and Pay the Invoice

Copy the invoice and pay on the command line or GUI below without brackets:

lncli sendpayment --pay_req <invoice-here>

User Demos!