Strike Bitcoin promo & Lightning payments 2026
Strike is the Bitcoin-only Lightning-first payments app built by Jack Mallers. It lets US users buy, sell and send Bitcoin over the Lightning Network with negligible fees, and is one of the cheapest fiat on-ramps for Bitcoin DCA in the regulated US space. The 2026 referral campaign credits invitees with $5 in BTC after a first qualifying buy.
Strike — the Lightning-first Bitcoin onramp
Strike, founded by Jack Mallers in 2020, sits at the intersection of Bitcoin and payments. The app's core thesis is that Bitcoin held on the Lightning Network can replace ACH and SWIFT for instant low-cost transfers — a thesis the company has stress-tested through partnerships with merchants, payroll providers and remittance corridors in Latin America, the Philippines and across Africa. For 2026 the US product is a clean Bitcoin DCA buy/sell/send app with the lowest fiat-to-Bitcoin spread in the regulated US space (typically 0.3–0.6% all-in).
Activation flow
Download Strike on iOS or Android. Sign up with a US phone number and complete KYC using a state-issued ID. Link a US bank account via Plaid or wire. Make a first qualifying Bitcoin buy of $5 or more; the referral credit pays out within 24 hours to both inviter and invitee. The app supports recurring DCA buys (daily, weekly, monthly) and Lightning send/receive with QR codes.
The case for Bitcoin-only on Strike
Strike's biggest argument is the fee economics for DCA buyers. A user buying $100 of Bitcoin once a week pays the platform under $0.40 in combined fees per buy — significantly cheaper than Coinbase's basic interface (1.49%) or Cash App's spread (1–2.5%). Over a year, the saving on $5,000 of DCA volume is around $25–$30 versus the same amount on Cash App, with a much faster Lightning send/receive feature on top.
Pros and cons
✅ Strengths
- Lowest fiat-to-Bitcoin spread in the regulated US space.
- Lightning Network native — instant low-cost BTC sends.
- FinCEN MSB and El Salvador DASP licensed.
- Free self-custody withdrawals via Lightning and on-chain.
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Bitcoin-only — no altcoins, no stablecoins (USDT for global users only).
- $5 referral bonus is small relative to broker-driven competitors.
- Some US states remain pending money transmitter approval.
- Customer support primarily through in-app chat.
Strike vs CEX.IO vs Cash App
| Metric | Strike | CEX.IO | Cash App |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | $5 BTC | $50 BTC | $5 cash + Bitcoin Boost |
| Fiat-to-Bitcoin spread | 0.3–0.6% | 0.16–0.25% | 1–2.5% |
| Lightning Network | Yes (native) | No | Yes (since 2022) |
| Asset support | Bitcoin only | 200+ coins | Bitcoin only |
| Best for | BTC DCA + Lightning sends | Largest welcome BTC + altcoins | Lightning + Boost cashback |
Editor's personal take
Strike is the right venue for US users who plan to dollar-cost average into Bitcoin and use Lightning Network for international transfers. The fee economics are genuinely best-in-class for that use case, and the Lightning-first design is faster than the equivalent feature on Cash App. The $5 referral is a token welcome rather than a substantial bonus. If you want altcoins or a meaningful welcome bonus, look elsewhere; if you want the cheapest, fastest US-regulated Bitcoin onramp, Strike is hard to beat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send Bitcoin from Strike to a hardware wallet?
Yes. Strike supports both Lightning and on-chain withdrawals at no platform fee (network fees apply for on-chain).
Is Strike available in my state?
Strike serves most US states. A handful of states (notably New York and Hawaii) remain pending money transmitter licence approval; check the eligibility page before signing up.
What about USDT on Strike?
Tether (USDT) is supported for non-US users in supported global corridors. US users have access to Bitcoin only.