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Our Whitepaper

Table of contents

  1. Abstract
  2. Problem
  3. Solution
  4. Use Cases
  5. Conclusion

Blitz Wallet: The Simplest Self-Custodial Bitcoin Wallet

Abstract

Blitz Wallet is a self-custodial Bitcoin wallet designed to simplify Bitcoin payments and solve key challenges in the Bitcoin space: Bitcoin is slow for payments, it’s unclear how to use, and it can feel too complex. By focusing on usability and simplicity, Blitz Wallet integrates the Bitcoin Lightning Network, Liquid sidechain, and eCash to balance their trade-offs and make self-custodial payments easier. The wallet addresses key barriers such as complex invoices, dinner paradox, and liquidity management. With features like a native contacts system, store to enable use of your Bitcoin, automated liquidity handling, and a gradual transition to self-custody, Blitz Wallet creates an intuitive experience for both beginners and experienced users. Our mission is to create the simplest, most user-friendly Bitcoin wallet. We envision a world where everyone has full control over their money and can transact freely and effortlessly with others.

1. Problem

A major hurdle that Bitcoin has yet to overcome is usability for day-to-day payments. This issue is evident in what we call the QR code problem. Currently, the most common way to share Bitcoin addresses or Lightning invoices is through QR codes. This is for two major reasons:

  1. Finality of payments – Bitcoin transactions are irreversible, so manually entering an address increases the risk of errors and potential loss of funds
  2. Complexity of addresses – Bitcoin addresses and Lightning invoices are long and difficult to read, which can be intimidating for new users.

While QR codes help mitigate these risks, they also create usability friction. Traditional payment networks use simple identifiers like usernames or phone numbers, making payments seamless. Bitcoin, in contrast, often feels like a step backward in user experience. While protocals such as LNURL, Bolt12, and silent payments are improvements, friction still occurs.

Another challenge is the complexity of the lightning network: a Layer 2 solutions designed to improve Bitcoin’s payment throughput. The Lightning network introduces technical quirks not seen in traditional payment networks, such as:

  • Lightning Network channel capacity – Users can only receive payments if their channel has enough inbound liquidity.
  • Invoice limitations – Lightning invoices expire and can only be used once.
  • Node uptime – Lightning nodes must remain online to send and receive payments.

These constraints require users to understand the underlying protocol before they can effectively use Bitcoin, creating a significant barrier to adoption. Given these usability challenges, there is a clear need for a wallet that seamlessly integrates Bitcoin’s scaling technologies into a simple, intuitive experience.

2. Solution

Blitz Wallet addresses Bitcoin's usability challenges by integrating multiple technologies—Lightning Network, Liquid Network, and eCash—to offer a seamless and user-friendly experience. Here's how Blitz Wallet tackles these issues:

  1. Simplified Onboarding so new users can start sending and receiving Bitcoin payments immediately without the need to open a Lightning channel. By leveraging Boltz Atomic Liquid swaps, Bitcoin on-chain or Lightning payments are automatically converted to Liquid BTC. This eliminates the complexity of channel management and reduces onboarding friction.

    While Boltz swaps have a minimum swap amount of 1,000 sats, Blitz Wallet also integrates eCash for micropayments, allowing users to send and receive small transactions without limitations. This ensures a smooth and flexible payment experience.
  2. Simple Payments Traditional payment apps like Venmo or Cash App succeed due to their simplicity in connecting users. Blitz Wallet embraces this by implementing a native contacts system, allowing users to add each other via usernames. This eliminates the need for exchanging invoices and greatly reduces friction in everyday transactions.

    By simplifying payments, Blitz Wallet resolves the "Dinner Paradox", where splitting bills in Bitcoin becomes cumbersome due to invoice-based transactions.
  3. Customizable Transition to Self-Custody Blitz Wallet introduces a "custodial ladder" to help users transition to full self-custody at their own pace:
    • Beginning: Users leverage Liquid atomic swaps to facilitate payments and can optionally enable eCash for micropayments.
    • Middle: As users gain knowledge about Bitcoin and the importance of self-custody, they begin swapping eCash for Liquid.
    • End: Users can enable Lightning Network support when ready, with the wallet automatically opening a Lightning channel when their balance reaches a configurable threshold (default: 500,000 sats).
  4. Automated Liquidity Management Managing liquidity on the Lightning Network can be complex. Blitz Wallet simplifies this with:
    • Dynamic Balancing: Automatically adjusts funds between Lightning and Liquid networks based on user activity.
    • Swap Invoices: Automatically generates swap invoices when inbound capacity is low, preventing failed payments due to liquidity constraints.

3. Use Cases

A perfect example of Blitz Wallet’s power comes from its creator, Blake Kaufman. During a holiday, his mother wanted to send money to him and his brothers for dinner. She logged onto Venmo and sent each of his brothers $20. However, for Blake, she used Blitz Wallet and sent him Bitcoin—without needing an invoice or prior coordination.

Despite not being highly technical, she was able to send Bitcoin just as easily as using Venmo. This story highlights the simplicity of Blitz Wallet in onboarding new users and removing friction from Bitcoin transactions.

4. Conclusion

Blitz Wallet is a game-changer in the Bitcoin ecosystem, bridging the gap between usability and financial sovereignty. By integrating Lightning, Liquid, and eCash into a single, intuitive wallet, Blitz Wallet makes self-custodial Bitcoin payments as seamless as traditional financial apps. Through features like automatic liquidity management, a native contacts system, and a customizable transition to self-custody, Blitz Wallet removes complexity and enhances user experience.

As we continue to innovate, we remain committed to our vision of making Bitcoin simple, accessible, and practical for everyday use. With Blitz Wallet, sending and receiving Bitcoin is finally as easy as using Venmo or Cash App—without compromising on self-custody and financial freedom.