Payments

Lightspark partners with SoFi for blockchain money transfers

Photo: Adobe Stock

August 26, 2025

Lightspark, an enterprise infrastructure provider, partnered with SoFi Technologies, a digital financial services company, to enable blockchain international money transfers via the Bitcoin Lightning Network and Universal Money Address. With these tools, SoFi aims to become one of the first banks to offer blockchain remittances, according to a press release.

The service will launch later this year. Exchange rates and fees will be displayed up front prior to users selecting send. It will be available directly on the SoFi app.

"For many SoFi members who regularly send money to loved ones internationally, the ability to quickly transfer money at low cost isn't just a convenience, it's a meaningful improvement to their everyday financial lives," Anthony Noto, SoFi CEO, said in the release. "By embedding this directly into SoFi's app, we're unlocking the value of blockchain technology, to give members faster, smarter and more inclusive access to their money."

"SoFi is one of the most innovative and forward-thinking financial platforms in the US today," David Marcus, CEO and co-founder of Lightspark, said in the release. "Digital banks are embracing UMA because it's fast, cheap, and secure, and it uses the only open payments network that exists, Bitcoin. UMA on SoFi means customers can move dollars instantly, any time, globally, and we're excited to see the demand via SoFi's waitlist, proving that people are ready for the future of payments."