Lightning vs on-chain Bitcoin: what we accept and why
The difference between on-chain Bitcoin and the Lightning Network, which one our checkout uses today, and how South Africa pays with Lightning in stores.
By the Living Water Labs team · Updated 3 October 2026
Two ways to move Bitcoin
On-chain payments are recorded directly in Bitcoin blocks: universally supported, settled in about 10–30 minutes for one confirmation, with a network fee.
Lightning is a payment layer on top of Bitcoin built for instant, low-fee payments. In South Africa it powers in-store payments: MoneyBadger's CryptoQR lets shoppers pay with Bitcoin at Pick n Pay and other retailers from wallets such as Luno, VALR, Blink and Aqua.
What our checkout accepts today
On-chain Bitcoin only, to a fresh address per order. It works from every exchange and wallet, and suits online orders that ship by courier anyway.
Lightning at checkout is on our roadmap. When it arrives, this page will say so.
Ready to pay with Bitcoin?
Fill your cart, choose Bitcoin at checkout and the discount applies automatically.