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Credit Card, ACH, Cash App Pay, Google Pay and Apple Pay

Zaprite’s mission is to enable individuals and businesses to accept bitcoin payments in direct exchange for goods and services. We do this by connecting invoices, payment links, and your existing online stores with various on-chain and lightning methods of payment. Customers connect their existing wallets and custodial accounts to Zaprite, with Zaprite never touching customer funds. We also support payment options using fiat rails.

The Zaprite connection screen now includes a Square integration option.

Making it easy for merchants to receive bitcoin side-by-side with fiat payments is how we see merchants driving the shift to bitcoin long-term. Everything we build—including a diversity of fiat rails—is designed to help more businesses make the decision to invest in bitcoin payment infrastructure. Most businesses already have preferred fiat rails and by enabling those rails within Zaprite, a merchant can more seamlessly add bitcoin as a payment option, without disrupting existing financial operations. To that end, we’re happy to announce an integration with Square’s SDK which offers the simplest fiat payments for businesses and their customers including: CashApp, credit card, ACH (via Plaid), Google Pay and Apple Pay. 

A Zaprite Checkout showing Square credit card and Cash App Pay options.

Now, businesses with Square merchant accounts can accept bitcoin (on-chain and lightning) side-by-side with fiat payment methods through Zaprite. Zaprite is never in the flow of fiat funds, which process and settle through Square’s existing merchant rails. 

When we say hyperbitcoinization is not yet here, we aren’t just talking about the price of bitcoin. Businesses today depend on fiat payment rails and have obligations denominated in dollars. Even if a business decides to include bitcoin on their balance sheet and in their payment operations, accepting bitcoin exclusively is not a realistic option. Enabling fiat side-by-side with bitcoin is actually what enables more businesses to accept bitcoin in the first place.  

A great example of a company like this is PlebLab, operator of a bitcoin-focused hackerspace in Austin, Texas. PlebLab often produces and organizes educational workshops and community events that require registration and ticketing, such as the upcoming TopBuilder competition. Zaprite was actually founded in the PlebLab space in 2022, and we’ve long wanted to be their primary partner for enabling bitcoin payments for their business and events, however, there was one problem.

Car Gonzalez, founder and CEO of PlebLab and long-time Square customer explained:

“Of course, we want to support our alumnus Zaprite, but we needed functionality to respond to our mix of members and event attendees–and how they wanted to transact. Thus, this new ability to adopt CashApp/Square and integrate Bitcoin payments through Zaprite was essential for PlebLab, as it streamlined our financial operations and significantly expanded our customer reach overnight. It was a necessary step to ensure we remain at the forefront of innovation, offering secure, flexible, and forward-thinking payment solutions for our members, and no one is doing it better than Zaprite.”Car Gonzalez, PlebLab CEO

And, Car is not the only customer we’ve spoken with that feels this way. Many businesses that want to use Zaprite to accept bitcoin use Square because of their posture towards bitcoin, as well as their excellent user experience and track record in processing fiat transactions. For these reasons, we’re thrilled to offer all online Square payment options to Zaprite customers. Here is how it works:

Connecting Square

Activate Square Connection

Navigate to the Connections tab, find the Square option, and hit Connect.

Activate the Square plugin from the Connections page in your Zaprite account.

This will take you to Square to authenticate your account. If you do not already have a square account, create one now to connect.

Configure your default Checkout

Now that Square is connected, navigate to Checkout to add one or many Square fiat integrations to your default Checkout experience. These include credit card, ACH, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Cash App Pay.

Configure your default Checkout payment methods.

Checkout Flow

At any time when you’re creating an Invoice or Payment Link, you can choose a custom Checkout experience to override the default. When you choose Custom, all relevant Square payment options will be available.

Configuring your preferred payment methods for a Payment Link Checkout.

Both Square and Zaprite will have the transaction information needed for reporting and tax purposes.  

Help and Support

If you run into any reporting issues with your Square integration, or have general questions about using Zaprite, feel free to Submit a Request at https://zaprite.zendesk.com or via our Twitter DMs @ZapriteApp.

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Zaprite, a company known for integrating Bitcoin payments into everyday business operations, has announced a series of significant updates to their application, with a particular focus on enhancing in-app functionalities. The updates, which include the recent WooCommerce Store integration, are primarily aimed at helping users effectively visualize and track performance using Invoices and Payment Links. The announcement was made in a blog post on the company's website 2 hours ago.

[

Introducing Dashboard Analytics - Zaprite

Easily view and track your bitcoin and fiat income over time in the new Zaprite Analytics dashboard.

ZapriteZaprite

](https://blog.zaprite.com/introducing-dashboard-analytics/?ref=tftc.io)

The key feature of this update is the new Dashboard Analytics tool. The dashboard is designed to provide a comprehensive day-to-day view of a business's income, offering insights into how revenue is distributed across different currencies, including Bitcoin (BTC) and fiat currencies, as well as the categorization of payments whether on-chain, off-chain, or through other channels like Liquid.

The Income Summary section is the centerpiece of the new analytics dashboard. It becomes immediately visible upon logging in and can be accessed at any time from the home dashboard. The section is particularly focused on Bitcoin transactions, displaying the total BTC received and its corresponding Accounted Value—converted into the fiat currency set by the user for accounting purposes—at the time the payment was received.

In addition to BTC, the dashboard also provides information on Fiat Received. This feature caters to businesses that transact in one or more fiat currencies, allowing them to track all fiat currency accruals in one place.

Another notable aspect of the Dashboard Analytics is its flexibility. Users can update the dashboard to report back on any desired date range, with options for several quick default date ranges or the ability to set custom date ranges as needed.

Zaprite has also taken steps to simplify the process of accounting by cleaning up CSV downloads, a move aimed at reducing the complexity associated with managing and tracking Bitcoin payments.

[

Zaprite: The Ultimate Bitcoin Payments Solution for Merchants

Merchants looking for a seamless way to accept bitcoin payments need not look further than Zaprite. This innovative platform offers an easy-to-use onboarding mechanism that integrates with both on-chain transactions and the Lightning Network, as well as other payment methods.

TFTC – Truth for the CommonerStaff

](https://tftc.io/zaprite-bitcoin-payments/)

Recognizing that users may encounter challenges or have questions regarding the new Dashboard Analytics, Zaprite encourages customers to reach out for help and support. The company has provided a means to submit requests via their support portal at https://zaprite.zendesk.com/ or through Twitter DMs to their account @ZapriteApp.

In conclusion, the new Dashboard Analytics feature from Zaprite represents a significant improvement for businesses that accept Bitcoin payments, providing a detailed and easy-to-navigate interface for tracking financial performance. While the tool focuses on simplifying the visual representation of income and transactions, the future implications for businesses could include more streamlined accounting practices and a better understanding of cryptocurrency transactions as they relate to overall business performance. Zaprite's updates demonstrate their commitment to evolving with the needs of their users and the dynamic nature of cryptocurrency in the commercial sector.

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Introduction

Coinos is a user-friendly web wallet for bitcoin that provides a variety of payment options, including a merchant point-of-sale terminal. This guide, created in video form by BTC Sessions and translated to written form by TFTC, will help you set up your Coinos account, understand its features, and recognize the trade-offs of using a web wallet.

Prerequisites

• No extensive prerequisite knowledge is required.
• Basic understanding of bitcoin transactions, lightning, and liquid networks is a plus.

Setting Up Coinos

Creating an Account

1. Visit the Coinos website at coinos.io.
2. Click on "Start in seconds."
3. Enter your email address and create a password.

Customizing Your Profile

• Log in to your Coinos account.

• Navigate to the settings by clicking on the menu in the top right corner.

• In the settings, you can:

• Set a username for easy payments.

• Update your display name and profile image.

• Add a banner image and a short bio.

• Configure your email for payment notifications.

• Save all changes by clicking "Save Settings."

Adjusting Preferences

• Under the Preferences tab in settings:

• Select your preferred language and currency.

• Enable payment notifications.

• Opt to display a tip button on your page.

• Set up a Shopify integration if required.

Enhancing Security

• In the Security tab:

• Change your password if needed.

• Enable a security PIN.

• Set up two-factor authentication for additional security.

• Save the NOSTR key for decentralized social media integration.

Receiving Payments

On-Chain Bitcoin Payments

1. Click "Receive" on your Coinos account.
2. Choose to receive via regular bitcoin payment.
3. Share the generated QR code or copy the bitcoin address to receive funds.

Liquid and Lightning Payments

1. For Liquid payments, select the "Liquid" option when receiving.
2. For Lightning payments, select the "Lightning" option.
3. Share the QR code or copy the respective address or invoice to receive funds.

Unified Balance

• Coinos combines all your funds into one balance, irrespective of the payment method used.

Sending Payments

On-Chain Bitcoin Payments

1. Click "Send" on your Coinos account.
2. Enter or scan the recipient’s bitcoin address.
3. Specify the amount and choose the network fee.
4. Confirm and send the payment.

Liquid and Lightning Payments

1. Choose to send via Liquid or Lightning options.
2. Input the recipient's address or invoice.
3. Set the amount and send the payment with minimal fees.

User-to-User Transactions

• Utilize the Coinos username feature to send payments to other Coinos users without additional fees.

Installing Coinos as a Progressive Web App

1. Access Coinos through the browser on your mobile device.
2. Use the browser's menu to select "Install app" or "Add to home screen."
3. Launch the Coinos app from your home screen for a more immersive experience.

Using the Coinos Map

• Explore the Coinos map to find merchants that accept bitcoin via Coinos.

Final Considerations

• Coinos is a custodial wallet, meaning the service holds your bitcoin keys. Practice moving towards self-custody for larger amounts.
• Withdraw funds using the method that best suits your needs (on-chain, Liquid, Lightning).
• For further assistance or private education sessions on bitcoin, visit btcsessions.ca.

Remember, always strive for self-custody and use Coinos as a stepping stone to familiarize yourself with bitcoin transactions and management.

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Key Takeaways

This episode of The Bitcoin Frontier podcast with Will Cole features a multifaceted discussion on the evolving landscape of financial surveillance, the importance of self-sovereignty in Bitcoin custody, and the future of Bitcoin payments. The conversation delves into the current state of financial censorship and how it may drive people towards Bitcoin, the role of multisig in enhancing security, and the potential for Bitcoin to serve as a primary method of payment.

Will highlights his journey from working at Unchained to his current venture with Zaprite, underscoring the significance of enabling individuals and businesses to obtain Bitcoin directly through commerce rather than solely through exchanges. He emphasizes the progress made in Bitcoin custody solutions and how the focus is now shifting towards optimizing those solutions and facilitating Bitcoin earnings through goods and services.

[

Zaprite: The Ultimate Bitcoin Payments Solution for Merchants

Merchants looking for a seamless way to accept bitcoin payments need not look further than Zaprite. This innovative platform offers an easy-to-use onboarding mechanism that integrates with both on-chain transactions and the Lightning Network, as well as other payment methods.

TFTC – Truth for the CommonerStaff

](https://tftc.io/zaprite-bitcoin-payments/)

Will also predicts that the catalyst for a broader adoption of Bitcoin payments will be an individual decision – people demanding to be paid in Bitcoin and merchants providing incentives for Bitcoin payments. He foresees a feedback loop where the acceptance of Bitcoin by more businesses could lead to a viral effect, incentivizing others to follow suit.

Lastly, the discussion touches upon the increasing use of financial censorship tools by governments and the potential implications this has for individual freedoms and the adoption of Bitcoin as a censorship-resistant alternative.

Best Quotes

• "It is underappreciated the level of financial surveillance and censorship that is coming for us." – Will
• "The most important problem to work on in Bitcoin was custody." – Will
• "Multisig is not a weird thing anymore." – Will
• "The catalyst is going to come from people demanding to be paid in Bitcoin." – Will
• "Canadian trucker protest...seeing how you can be debanked, not in some conspiratorial manner, but as a matter of policy." – Will
• "China...they're showing us what's coming to the west. They're beating us in financial censorship." – Will
• "The difference between today and, say, 2019, when I joined Unchained, it's very different." – Will
• "We have more control. You want to buy a gun? We have more control." – Will
• "I think there's a lot of things at play in this. Right. You have people that want Bitcoin in their treasury, so they go out and buy Bitcoin." – Will
• "The more centralized and small these businesses are, I think they'll be the first adopters of this." – Will

Conclusion

The podcast episode provided an insightful exploration of the intersection between Bitcoin, financial sovereignty, and commerce. It reflects the growing concern about financial surveillance and the potential for Bitcoin to empower individuals and merchants to take control of their financial future.

The guest's experiences and predictions suggest that while the Bitcoin custody space has matured, the next frontier lies in making Bitcoin a viable and preferred option for everyday transactions. The episode concludes with a sense that Bitcoin's role as a tool against financial censorship will become increasingly critical, and the decisions of individuals and businesses to embrace Bitcoin could be the driving force for change.

The discussion poses thought-provoking questions about the future of financial autonomy and the potential for Bitcoin to reshape our understanding of value exchange. It leaves listeners with the idea that Bitcoin’s time may come not through a single catalytic event but through a series of individual choices that collectively signal a shift towards a more decentralized and censorship-resistant financial system.

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In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, the Lightning Network has emerged as a groundbreaking solution to the scalability challenges faced by Bitcoin. This innovative protocol operates atop the Bitcoin blockchain, offering faster, cheaper, and more efficient transactions. Its significance lies in its potential to transform Bitcoin from a digital gold into a viable medium of exchange for daily transactions, paving the way for broader adoption of bitcoin in everyday commerce.

What is the Lightning Network?

At its core, the Lightning Network is a "layer 2" payment protocol, designed to facilitate instant, low-cost transactions, bypassing the limitations of Bitcoin's block size and transaction speed. By setting up payment channels between users, it enables the exchange of funds without the need for confirmations on the bitcoin blockchain, resulting in almost instantaneous transactions.

Key Features

1. Speed: Transactions are processed in milliseconds to seconds.
2. Low Cost: Significantly reduces transaction fees.
3. Scalability: Can handle millions to billions of transactions per second.
4. Privacy: Offers improved privacy compared to regular bitcoin transactions.

The Importance of the Lightning Network

Enhancing Bitcoin's Usability

Bitcoin's original design, while revolutionary, is not without its limitations. The blockchain’s capacity to process only a limited number of transactions per block led to congestion and increased transaction fees. The Lightning Network addresses these issues, making bitcoin a more practical option for small, everyday transactions.

Promoting Bitcoin Adoption

By improving transaction efficiency, the Lightning Network enhances the overall appeal of bitcoin. This fosters greater acceptance and use of bitcoin in mainstream financial transactions, which will lead to a more inclusive global financial system.

Major Advances in the Lightning Network

1. Increased Network Capacity

Over the years, the Lightning Network has seen a substantial increase in its network capacity, enabling it to handle a larger volume of transactions. This expansion signifies growing confidence and adoption among users.

2. Improved Routing Efficiency

Advancements in network routing algorithms have optimized the path that payments take through the network, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing costs.

3. Integration with Existing Financial Systems

Efforts to integrate the Lightning Network with traditional financial systems are underway. This includes the development of user-friendly wallets, payment gateways, and other tools that bridge the gap between bitcoin and conventional money.

4. Enhanced Security Protocols

As the network evolves, so do the measures to secure it. Continuous updates and protocol improvements are being implemented to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities.

5. Wider Commercial Adoption

More businesses and merchants are beginning to accept payments via the Lightning Network, thanks to its lower fees, faster processing times and final settlement assurances. This trend is crucial for the mainstream adoption of Bitcoin as a method of payment.

Major Risks in the Lightning Network

1. Routing Node Centralization

The engineering and capital resources that are currently necessary to run a highly performant and reliable Lightning Network routing node are significant. Unless the ability to easily maintain a routing node becomes less burdensome, the Lightning Network could become dominated by centralized actors with higher compliance requirements for users. While this isn't ideal, it does not affect the censorship resistance of bitcoin's base layer.

2. Onchain Fee Congestion Pricing Users Out

If the costs to open and close a channel, as determined by the onchain bitcoin fee market at any given point in time, become prohibitively expensive the Lightning Network may be negatively affected. If onchain fees rise too high it could make it uneconomical to open and close channels.

3. Lack of Adoption

It is totally possible that the nature of the liveliness that is necessary for interacting with the Lightning Network proves to be too burdensome for end users, which may lead to a lack of adoption. This can be mitigated with better and more intuitive UX design that abstracts user pain points and automates the management of a Lightning Network node.

Conclusion

The Lightning Network represents a significant stride in addressing Bitcoin's scalability challenges. By enabling faster, cheaper, and more efficient transactions, it not only enhances the functionality of Bitcoin but also accelerates the integration of bitcoin into the global financial landscape. As this technology continues to mature, its role in shaping the future of digital transactions remains a key area of interest for investors, technologists, and consumers alike.

In summary, the Lightning Network is not just an upgrade to Bitcoin; it's a transformative step towards realizing the full potential of cryptocurrencies in our daily financial transactions. As it continues to evolve, its impact on the world of digital finance is likely to be profound and far-reaching. Despite the many hurdles the network faces, we here at TFTC are optimistic that those building out the protocol and the application layers above will solve the critical pain points that currently exist.

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If you've been reading this rag over the last few weeks you can probably tell that your Uncle Marty is pretty excited about the convergence of AI and bitcoin. Particularly in the context of the lightning network enabling AI companies and autonomous digital beings to provide instant final settlement of payments, solving a myriad of problems for the AI industry. Mainly, risks revolving around charge backs, accessibility, profit margin, privacy and being able to give AI agents allowances from which they can spend.

With the emergence of things like Aperture, "a HTTP 402 reverse proxy that supports proxying requests for gRPC (HTTP/2) and REST (HTTP/1 and HTTP/2) backends using the L402 Protocol Standard", and the bitcoin-focused tools being added to Langchain it seems like the conditions have never been more ripe for an industry to adopt bitcoin en masse. The combination of the fact that AI is an industry that has hit it's tipping point, it is computationally expensive, and, at scale and maturity, will require machines to autonomously exchange money between each other if they are to be as performant and efficient as possible makes bitcoin over the lightning network very obvious. It could be the accelerant that really takes things to the next level of usability and futuristic feel.

One thing that needs to be done to make this happen is to help those building out AI products to realize the massive benefit incorporating lightning into their APIs can have on their businesses. That is the goal of the #Ai4ALL hackathon that is currently going on and will run until July 31st. The hackathon is a collaboration between Fedi and Stakwork in collaboration with Replit and Hivemind Ventures, Spirit of Satoshi, and Zebedee sponsoring the event. The goal is to show off what can be built by combining lightning and AI to those in the AI industry who may not yet be convinced that there is a product-market fit. If you're someone like me who thinks this convergence is an unbelievable unlock for both AI and lightning and you are working on a project that highlights this, throw your hat in the ring and get involved. It's time to accelerate this convergence.

Final thought...

Feel very fortunate that my children are able to spend their Summers the way I did as a kid.

You have your place to buy Bitcoin, but have you tried River? It’s where all the Bitcoiners are now going. See why at River.com/TFTC

Sleep soundly at night knowing your bitcoin are secured by multisig.

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