Introduction to Lightning Enable

Lightning Enable is payment enablement middleware that allows platforms to integrate Bitcoin Lightning payments. We connect your platform to a payment provider (Strike or OpenNode), which handles all payment processing, custody, and settlement.

Provider KYB/KYC Required

Before accepting payments, you must complete verification with your chosen payment provider. Lightning Enable acts as middleware between your platform and your provider - we never touch your funds. Learn more about provider setup.

What Lightning Enable Is

Lightning Enable is infrastructure software that enables your platform to integrate Bitcoin Lightning payments:

• Lightning Enable doesn't touch funds - We are API middleware only
• Your payment provider processes payments - Strike or OpenNode handles custody, settlement, and compliance
• You control your provider account - Your API keys, your settlement preferences

What Lightning Enable Is NOT

Lightning Enable is API middleware. We are not:

• A payment processor (Strike and OpenNode are the payment software providers)
• A custodian of funds (your provider facilitates custody and settlement)
• A settlement provider (your provider handles settlement)

Regulatory Note

Strike and OpenNode are licensed payment software providers. Consult with legal counsel regarding your specific regulatory obligations when accepting Bitcoin payments.

Core Architecture

+---------------+      +------------------+      +---------------------+
|    Your       |      |  Lightning       |      | Payment Provider:   |
|  Application  |----->|    Enable        |----->| Strike or OpenNode  |
|               |      |   (Middleware)   |      |    (Your API)       |
+---------------+      +------------------+      +---------------------+
                               |
                               v
                       +------------------+
                       |  Your Database   |
                       |  (Invoice Data)  |
                       +------------------+

1. You bring your own provider API key (Bring Your Own API Key - BYOA)
2. Lightning Enable forwards requests to your payment provider on your behalf
3. Your provider processes payments and handles all custody/settlement
4. Webhooks notify you when payment status changes
5. You fulfill orders based on payment confirmations

Core Principles

These are architectural invariants that define Lightning Enable:

Principle	Description
Lightning Enable doesn't hold funds	We are middleware - funds flow to your provider
No control of private keys	We never generate, store, or access Bitcoin keys
Provider handles processing	Custody, settlement, and compliance via Strike or OpenNode
Subscription revenue only	We never charge per-transaction fees

Three Products

Lightning Enable offers three products to fit different use cases:

1. Agentic Commerce — Individual

Full L402 access for individual developers with Strike settlement. The fastest way to start building with Lightning payments.

Best for: Individual developers, side projects, AI builders

Learn more about the Agentic Commerce — Individual plan

2. Kentico Commerce Integration

A complete payment gateway plugin for Xperience by Kentico e-commerce sites.

Best for: Kentico-based e-commerce stores

Learn more about Kentico Commerce

3. Agentic Commerce — Business

Pay-per-request API monetization using the L402 protocol.

Best for: API providers, content creators, AI services

Learn more about L402

MCP Server for AI Agents

Lightning Enable provides an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that enables AI agents like Claude to make Lightning payments autonomously.

# Install via pip
pip install lightning-enable-mcp

# Or via npm/npx
npx lightning-enable-mcp

# Or via Docker
docker pull refinedelement/lightning-enable-mcp

Key Features:

• Pay Lightning invoices directly from AI conversations
• Access L402-protected APIs automatically
• Built-in spending limits and budget controls
• Support for NWC, OpenNode, and Strike wallets

All tools are free - no paid tiers, no subscriptions required for the MCP server:

Tool	Description
pay_invoice	Pay any Lightning invoice
check_wallet_balance	Check your wallet balance
get_budget_status	View spending limits
access_l402_resource	Automatically pay L402 challenges
pay_l402_challenge	Manual L402 payment handling

MCP Quick Start Guide | Wallet Setup | Complete Guide

Pricing

Lightning Enable uses product-based pricing (NOT transaction-based):

Product	Monthly	Best For
Agentic Commerce — Individual	$99	Individual developers building with L402
Kentico Commerce	$249	Xperience by Kentico e-commerce sites
Agentic Commerce — Business	$299	API monetization with pay-per-request

No per-transaction fees from us. Your payment provider may charge their own processing fees.*

View pricing details →

Next Steps

Ready to get started?

1. Prerequisites - What you need before starting
2. Quick Start Guide - Get up and running in 10 minutes
3. Provider Setup - Configure your payment provider

Getting Help

• Documentation: You're reading it!
• Email: support@lightningenable.com
• Strike Support: strike.me
• OpenNode Support: developers.opennode.com