Block Inc And Coinbase CEOs Collaborate To Boost Bitcoin’s Lightning Network

Representation of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on June 26, 2023. CEO and co-founder of Block Inc., a provider of financial services and mobile payments, Jack Dorsey stated on Wednesday that he is pleased to collaborate with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong to give priority to the growth and adoption of Bitcoin's lightning network. JAKUB PORZYCKI/NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Financial services and mobile payments company Block Inc CEO and co-founder Jack Dorsey on Wednesday said that he is “happy to partner” with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong in order to prioritize the development and adoption of Bitcoin’s lightning network.

What Happened: Dorsey wants to enhance the BTC lightning network, a layer-2 solution for faster and more scalable Bitcoin transactions. 

Last week, Dorsey questioned Armstrong’s perceived lack of attention toward Bitcoin and lightning technology. He tweeted, “Why do you continue to ignore Bitcoin and lightning? What ‘crypto’ is a better money transmission protocol and why?” 

Representation of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on June 26, 2023. CEO and co-founder of Block Inc., a provider of financial services and mobile payments, Jack Dorsey stated on Wednesday that he is pleased to collaborate with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong to give priority to the growth and adoption of Bitcoin’s lightning network. JAKUB PORZYCKI/NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

To address Dorsey’s concerns, Armstrong replied, assuring him that Coinbase remains committed to Bitcoin’s growth. 

Armstrong stated, “We’re looking into how to best add Lightning. It’s non-trivial, but I think worth doing. I’m all for payments taking off in Bitcoin. Not sure why you think we’re ignoring Bitcoin – we’ve onboarded more people to Bitcoin than probably any company in the world. Let’s build it together.”

Dorsey said that while he acknowledges Coinbase’s significant contributions to the adoption of Bitcoin but wants Armstrong to put more resources towards Bitcoin and layer 2 technologies.

“We want an open protocol for money transmission for the internet that’s not controlled by a single individual, company, or government. Same team,” Dorsey said.

The Lightning Network is like a super-fast helper for Bitcoin. It makes transactions really quick and stops the Bitcoin road from getting too crowded. It does this by using special channels for transactions, and only the end results go on the main Bitcoin road. It’s also very cheap to use, usually costing just a few cents.

The network was integrated by Binance in June, while Dorsey’s Block in March said it would be utilizing its own Bitcoin reserves to provide liquidity to the Lightning Network.

Representation of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on June 26, 2023. CEO and co-founder of Block Inc., a provider of financial services and mobile payments, Jack Dorsey stated on Wednesday that he is pleased to collaborate with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong to give priority to the growth and adoption of Bitcoin’s lightning network. JAKUB PORZYCKI/NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

We’re looking into how to best add Lightning. It’s non-trivial, but I think worth doing. I’m all for payments taking off in Bitcoin.

Not sure why you think we’re ignoring Bitcoin – we’ve onboarded more people to Bitcoin than probably any company in the world.

Let’s build it… https://t.co/9dFGYd6XZt

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) August 2, 2023

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