Top 10 Lightning Network Exchanges

Understanding the top 10 Lightning Network exchanges can provide you with a unique perspective on the crypto sector. More exchanges have made the jump to the Lightning Network recently due to its increased speed and lower costs. These pioneering platforms integrated the second layer protocol to help Bitcoiners get the most from their trading activities.

1. Binance

Binance is the world's largest exchange in terms of trading volume. This massive platform began as a mostly altcoin trading option that originally didn’t offer fiat to crypto services. This decision enabled the platform to provide a wider selection of coins and services versus competitors with fiat onramp options. 

Since 2017, Binance has been a pioneering force in the market. In July 2023, the platform announced that it integrated the Lightning Network into its Bitcoin deposit and withdrawal protocols. This decision helped to improve rates for the millions of Bitcoin traders the platform services daily.

2. Bitfinex

BitFinex is another powerhouse in the market. This CEX has a creative team of developers that can be credited with helping to make TetherUSD and the concept of fiat-pegged stablecoins standard. Today, Bitfenix remains headquartered in Hong Kong and registered in the British Virgin Islands.

Source – Bitfinex – Lightning Network Exchanges

Bitfinex operates a popular Lightning Network node. The node has 1495 channels and 1218 peers currently. The developers enabled Lightning Network deposits and withdrawals as part of their integration. Also, the team plans to add more LN-powered features as their users get more familiar with the second-layer protocol. 

3. OKCoin

OkCoin is one of the oldest exchanges in operation today. The platform launched in 2013 in China and was founded by Star Xu. The exchange left the country following its crypto crackdown in 2017. It's currently based in San Francisco, CA.

OkCoin is one of the largest exchanges. It has more than 100K investors and services 192 countries. The CEX was one of the first to announce LN integration in March 2021. Users felt the savings as Bticoin was experiencing delays and high fees at the time.

4. Kraken

Kraken is another massive trading platform that has integrated the lightning network with success. This established CEX has +4 million clients that span the gambit from new users to institutional investment firms. Today, it's considered one of the world's largest and most successful exchanges in operation.

Kraken announced that it would integrate the Lightning network to reduce stress on Bticoiners in April 2021. The move was met with praise from the exchange's large Bitcoin trading community. It also marked further momentum for the Lightning Network. 

5. OKX

OKX is another globally recognized derivatives and crypto trading platform that is worth checking out. The exchange shares ownership with OkCoin as a subsidiary of the OK Group. Notably, the company entered the market in 2017 and has since been a popular location for a multitude of crypto activities.

OKX has hit monthly trading volume as high as $188B which makes it one of the largest options available to traders. In April 2021, the developers announced that they integrated Lightning Network deposits and withdrawals. In a public statement, they explained that the move helps to improve the Bitcoin ecosystem.

6. CoinCorner

CoinCorner has always remained on the edge of DeFi technology. As an exchange and wallet provider, the network can offer unique features to its clients. In October 2023, the exchange announced its Bolt Card. This Lightning Network-powered crypto debit card integrated NFC technology to support contactless LN payments.

The service is compatible with multiple Lightning Network-enabled processing systems. Also, the BTCPay Server payment gateway, Ibex Mercado, LNBits, and FastBitcoins are all slated for integration in the coming weeks. This strategy takes LN integration a step further and helps to increase innovation. 

7. Bull Bitcoin

Bull Bitcoin is a Bitcoin-centric non-custodial option that integrates the Lightning Network effectively. The platform has some cool features that make it stand out. For example, there are no transaction limits or withdrawal fees.

Bull Bitcoin leverages the Lightning Network to provide instant withdrawal options to users as well. Notably, Bull Bitcoin is also the largest Bitcoin payment processing service in Canada. Users can send payments, pay bills, credit cards, and much more. 

8. Holy Transaction

Holy Transaction provides portfolio management, advanced analytics, and fiat to crypto services. The network supports trading of the top projects and features via an easy-to-navigate interface. New users will find Holy Transaction to be simple to access and use.

Holy Transaction supports multiple second-layer solutions including the Lightning and Liquid networks. This strategy helped the platform secure a growing user base in a competitive market. Today, Holy Transaction offers streamlined access to digital assets.

9. PrimeBit

The PrimeBit exchange supports direct p2p trades across multiple asset classes. Users can trade cryptos, stocks, indices, and commodities from one location. Additionally, the platform offers a mix of professional features such as 200x leverage and a lite version for newbies.

Primebit helps reduce slippage through the integration of Lightning Network trading. The network offers users no transaction fees, instant deposits, and withdrawals, and added features that aren't found in competitors such as anonymous trading. 

10. BitcoinVN

Vietnamese Bitcoin trades can leverage the Lightning Network to improve their trading strategy thanks to the creative team at BitcoinVN. The popular trading firm launched in 2013 and was founded by Nguyen Tran Bao Phuong, Dominik Weil, Alex Winter, and Phil Trinh.

This easy-to-navigate platform streamlines crypto trading for +88 assets and is one of the most popular exchanges in the region. It also hosts one of the largest Lightning Routing Nodes in Southeast Asia. Impressively, it's one of the top 50 performing nodes in the world. 

The List of Lightning Network Exchanges is Long

It only takes a glance at this list to see that there are already millions of people who have direct access to the Lightning Network. These users are saving on their Bitcoin activities and sharing their experiences which is driving further adoption. Consequently, you should expect more competitors to follow suit in the coming months.