Paying and Receiving with Lightning
The store's payment method, explained step by step — even if you've never used the Lightning Network before.
The Lightning Network is a layer built on top of Bitcoin that enables near-instant payments with negligible fees. It's currently the only payment method offered on Souverain 21 : no card, no account to create, no data ever passing through our servers. Here's how to get started, in five steps.
Install a Lightning wallet
Two approaches are possible, depending on your level.
Sovereign mode — your own node
This is what we use ourselves : a personal Lightning node, BTCPay Server as a self-hosted payment processor (open source, no third-party dependency) to generate invoices, and Ride The Lightning (RTL) as the node's management interface. More technical to set up, but nothing — not your sats, not your data — ever passes through a third-party service.
Simple mode — a mobile wallet
If you're just getting started, a mobile app is enough — it handles the technical complexity (channel management, liquidity) for you. Here are the best-known ones :
- Phoenix (ACINQ) — self-custodial, open source.
- Zeus — self-custodial, can also run your own node : the natural bridge to sovereign mode.
- Breez — self-custodial, also offers built-in sat purchases.
- Wallet of Satoshi — the easiest to pick up; offers a self-custodial mode, but the default mode leaves a third party holding your keys — switch it on explicitly if sovereignty matters to you.
Receive your first sats
A sat (satoshi) is the smallest unit of Bitcoin : 1 BTC = 100,000,000 sats. In the app, tap "Receive" : it generates an invoice (a QR code valid for a few minutes) for whoever is paying you to scan. Don't have any sats yet? A friend who already does, or an exchange, can send you some this way.
Pay for an order with us
Once your cart is confirmed, the payment page shows the total in sats and a QR code. Open your wallet, scan it (or tap "Pay" if you're on the same phone), confirm : the payment settles in a few seconds and your order moves straight to "paid" — no waiting on a bank to clear anything.
How much does it cost?
For a typical payment, Lightning fees are negligible — nowhere close to a card processing fee or an international bank transfer. Some wallets, like Phoenix, apply a small fee on your very first received payment (while it automatically opens a channel), but every payment after that is close to free. You'll never see hidden fees or a forced conversion : the amount shown at checkout is exactly what gets charged.
Secure your wallet
On setup, the app generates a recovery phrase (12 to 24 words). It's the only way to recover your sats if you lose your phone. Paper is a fine place to start, but it's vulnerable to fire, water, and time. For amounts that matter, an engraved or stamped metal plate (plain stainless steel washers work fine) survives what paper won't. Whatever you use, keep a second copy in a different physical location : a trusted relative, a safe deposit box, so a single disaster can't wipe out your only copy. And never type it anywhere except inside your wallet : no photo, no cloud note, no email. Anyone who sees it can empty the wallet.
The QR code expired, what now?＋
Lightning invoices deliberately expire after a few minutes, for your own security. Just reload the payment page : a new invoice is generated automatically, for the same amount.
My payment isn't going through＋
First, check your phone's internet connection. Also make sure you're scanning the Lightning QR shown on the payment page, not a regular "on-chain" Bitcoin address — these are two different networks.
I don't have any bitcoin yet＋
A mainstream exchange remains the simplest entry point for a first purchase. To skip the centralized account entirely, see our peer-to-peer exchange guide.