OKCoin to Integrate Bitcoin’s Lightning Network in Q1

OKCoin is the latest crypto exchange to support Bitcoin’s Lightning Network.

Per details shared with CoinDesk, the exchange is in the final phases of integrating the secondary scaling network. It should be live within 3-4 weeks, OKCoin’s team told CoinDesk.

“We have been a bitcoin exchange since 2013 and while we are excited about DeFi and other assets, we know bitcoin is the foundation of the entire industry Bitcoin’s network is often congested and has high transaction fees, particularly during bull markets,” OKCoin CEO Hong Fang told CoinDesk.

The Lightning Network is a technology stack built on top of Bitcoin which facilitates faster and cheaper transactions than Bitcoin’s primary network. 

This integration means OKCoin can lower deposit minimums for bitcoin on Lightning to 0.000001 BTC ($0.004), while the withdrawal maximum is $750. OKCoin representatives told CoinDesk that Lightning Network deposits will show up under users’ regular Bitcoin balances, and that users only have to pay Lightning Network fees (usually pennies) when withdrawing.

OKCoin is one of the members of Blockstream’s Liquid sidechain, another scaling solution, wherein a network maintained by a federation of members like OKCoin processes transactions for a fraction of the cost of Bitcoin’s primary network.

OKCoin’s CEO told CoinDesk that the exchange may “explore other networks” in the future but is focused on implementing Lightning live on the platform first.

Once it’s integrated, the Lightning Network will be available on both OKCoin’s mobile and web applications.

OKCoin is not the only exchange riding the Lightning into the new year.

Moment is building for the Lightning Network’s utility as an instant, cheap on- and off-ramp to exchanges. Bitfinex, which services an international clientele but is closed to U.S. users, was one of the first exchanges to offer Lightning Network deposits and withdrawals. U.S.-exclusive River Financial also offers Lightning functionality for its users.