Lightning Labs Launches Wavelength: Bitcoin Payments API with 1 Basis Point Fee, Now on Testnet

Lightning Labs released the alpha version of Wavelength on July 21, a non-custodial API toolkit enabling developers and AI agents to integrate self-custodial Bitcoin payments into applications without managing nodes or channels. The toolkit embeds a self-custodial wallet supporting on-chain Bitcoin, Lightning Network payments via atomic swaps, and an Ark-like settlement layer for fast, low-cost off-chain transfers. The same API is exposed to AI agents through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), allowing agents to hold balances and pay for services in fractions of a cent. Wallet creation and unlocking remain outside the agent channel to protect private keys and passwords.

Wavelength is available immediately on Signet and testnet, with mainnet access on an invitation-only basis. Bitcoin is supported at launch; stablecoin support via Taproot Assets is planned. During the closed alpha, Lightning transactions carry a minimal 1 basis point service fee plus standard network routing fees, with ordinary Bitcoin network fees applying for on-chain activity. The Wavelength SDK is open source.