Zap Dev: Use Lightning Network to Buy Bitcoin

The creators of Bitcoin wallet Zap have revealed a new tool for instantly purchasing Bitcoin using a bank account via the Lightning Network.

In a blog post and associated social media posts on Sept. 19, Zap Solutions founder Jack Mallers said Olympus was specifically designed to bypass extant offerings from BitPay and Coinbase.

The Lightning Network facilitates instant delivery of BTC purchases, and Know Your Customer procedures are kept to a minimum.

"Someone who has never experienced Bitcoin before should be able to swipe their debit card, get Bitcoin delivered to them directly onto the Lightning Network, and make inexpensive instant micropayments within seconds of purchase," Mallers explained.

The service does not require a Zap wallet for use and operates as a standalone component for existing wallet users.

For them, using the purchasing function is optional, with KYC only applicable to those who choose to use it.

Explaining the impetus behind Olympus, Mallers did not mince his words.

Both companies have felt the pressure this year as dissatisfaction grew among clients.

In the case of BitPay, arbitrary rejections of certain payments - including charity donations - sparked outrage on social media.