Digital financial institution SoFi Applied sciences is ready to turn into the primary US financial institution to leverage the Bitcoin community and Common Cash Tackle — permitting People, Mexicans, and others to ship cash by means of the Lightning Community. 

SoFi partnered with Bitcoin (BTC) funds infrastructure Lightspark to launch its blockchain-powered worldwide cash switch service, which can go stay later this yr, beginning in Mexico, SoFi mentioned in an announcement on Tuesday.

“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,” SoFi CEO Anthony Noto mentioned on X. 

In keeping with Noto, customers will be capable of ship cash internationally straight from the SoFi app. It competes in a crowded international remittance market, which was valued at round $740.5 billion in 2024.

SoFi + Lightspark = immediate international funds. 🌍⚡

Ship cash overseas in seconds, proper from the @sofi app, powered by UMA.

Coming quickly for 🇺🇸→ 🇲🇽 with extra international locations to observe.

The way forward for international funds is right here: https://t.co/MxAA5o9k2Z pic.twitter.com/GFVq4KhoxF

— Lightspark (@lightspark) August 19, 2025

SoFi unveils how the Bitcoin UMA resolution will work

SoFi’s new, UMA-powered worldwide cash switch service will enable clients to transform US {dollars} into Bitcoin in real-time and route the funds throughout borders through the Bitcoin Lightning community, the place funds are delivered on to the recipient’s checking account of their nation’s forex.

Lightspark’s UMA permits customers to switch cash with an email-like tackle whereas leveraging Bitcoin Lightning. The agency was based in 2022 by David Marcus, the previous president of PayPal.

SoFi mentioned prices will likely be “below the current national average” and that trade charges and charges will likely be proven to members earlier than hitting ship to “ensure full transparency.” 

The service will likely be obtainable always of the day, each day, for SoFi’s 11.7 million members.

Coinbase built-in Lightspark’s Bitcoin infrastructure final yr

It comes a yr after Coinbase rolled out help for Lightspark’s Bitcoin Lightning resolution to allow immediate, low-cost transfers in April 2024.

It noticed sturdy adoption throughout the primary 12 months, with 15% of Bitcoin transactions on Coinbase transferring on Lightning rails through Lightspark, the Bitcoin infrastructure agency mentioned in April this yr.

Associated: Thailand to launch crypto cost sandbox for vacationers

Brazilian financial institution gradual to roll out Lightspark’s Bitcoin options

Brazilian neobank Nubank partnered with Lightspark in June 2024 to supply Bitcoin Lightning funds to its 100 million clients in Latin America.

Nevertheless, Nubank hasn’t confirmed that the Bitcoin-powered funds have been built-in for full use but.

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