Braiins, the operator of the world’s longest-running Bitcoin mining pool, today announced it is now processing more than 1,000 daily payouts via the Lightning Network, marking a significant shift in the industry.
Traditionally, Bitcoin miners have faced slow and costly payouts due to reliance on on-chain transactions, which can be inefficient, especially during periods of network congestion. By adopting the Lightning Network, Braiins has streamlined payments, offering miners near-instant settlements without high fees or delays.
Since launching Lightning payouts in early 2024 in partnership with Voltage, a Lightning payments platform, Braiins has seen rapid adoption. To date, miners have withdrawn 13.78 BTC via Lightning, indicating a growing preference for the faster, lower-cost alternative.
“Lightning payouts have completely changed the way miners receive their earnings. Rather than waiting for on-chain transactions to confirm and paying high fees, our miners are now getting instant, frictionless payouts—every single day,” said Eli Nagar, CEO of Braiins. “Hitting 1,000 daily payouts is just the beginning. We believe Lightning will become the standard for miner payouts across the industry.”
Braiins is one of the most established and innovative companies in the Bitcoin mining industry. Founded in 2010, it is the team behind Slush Pool, the first-ever Bitcoin mining pool. Slush Pool pioneered the mining pool model, allowing miners to combine their hash power and receive consistent payouts, which significantly improved mining efficiency and income stability.
Over the years, Braiins has continued to innovate, launching Braiins OS, an open-source mining firmware designed to enhance mining efficiency and transparency. The company has been a strong advocate for decentralization and open-source solutions, helping miners optimize their operations while maintaining Bitcoin’s core principles of financial sovereignty and security. Its continued advancements in payout mechanisms, such as the integration of Lightning, further demonstrate its commitment to making Bitcoin mining more efficient and sustainable.
The evolution of Bitcoin mining
The Bitcoin mining industry has been undergoing significant changes, driven by increasing Bitcoin prices, rising energy costs, and evolving regulatory challenges. As Bitcoin’s price surges, mining becomes more competitive, with miners needing to continuously upgrade their hardware to maintain profitability. Higher prices also lead to greater network difficulty, requiring miners to invest in more efficient ASIC rigs to stay ahead.
At the same time, energy prices have become a major concern. Mining operations, particularly those using older hardware or relying on expensive electricity, face mounting pressure to optimize costs. This has led to a growing trend of miners relocating to regions with cheaper energy sources, such as hydroelectric power in Canada, geothermal energy in Iceland, or surplus energy in Texas.
Additionally, regulatory scrutiny of Bitcoin mining is increasing worldwide. Governments are imposing stricter rules on energy consumption, environmental impact, and financial compliance. Some jurisdictions, like China, have cracked down on mining, while others, such as El Salvador and Kazakhstan, have welcomed miners with favorable policies.
Leveling the playing field for miners
The shift to Lightning is especially beneficial for smaller miners who often struggle to accumulate enough earnings to justify an on-chain payout. With Lightning, they can now receive their earnings instantly, improving cash flow and making mining more accessible to a wider audience.
Braiins’ Lightning adoption has surged by nearly 20% per month since mid-2024, reinforcing miners’ demand for a more efficient system.
“The adoption of Lightning payouts by Braiins has set a new precedent for the Bitcoin mining sector,” said Graham Krizek, CEO of Voltage. “This milestone demonstrates how Lightning enables real-world, high-volume transactions at an unprecedented scale. We’re excited to continue driving innovation in miner payouts with Braiins.”
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Impact on Bitcoin’s ecosystem
Beyond benefiting miners, Lightning payouts also alleviate congestion on the Bitcoin network, reducing fees for all users. By shifting payouts off-chain, Braiins is contributing to Bitcoin’s scalability and reinforcing its role as a practical, decentralized financial system.
As Lightning adoption grows, it’s likely that other mining pools will follow Braiins’ lead, further optimizing the payout process industry-wide. This transition underscores Bitcoin mining’s ongoing evolution—toward faster, smarter, and more decentralized financial interactions.
Braiins’ achievement signals a major step in Bitcoin’s broader adoption, proving that Lightning isn’t just theoretical but a practical, scalable solution improving real-world transactions. As the industry continues to innovate, Lightning payouts may soon become the standard rather than the exception in Bitcoin mining.