Breez Enables Bitcoin-Funded USDC and USDT Payments Across 30+ Blockchains

Breez Adds Bitcoin-to-Stablecoin Payments – Developers Can Route BTC to USDC and USDT Across 30+ Blockchains

Key Takeaways

• Breez has introduced a new SDK feature that enables payments from Bitcoin balances to USDC and USDT across more than 30 blockchains.
• The system uses the Lightning Network and automated conversion via liquidity providers such as Flashnet and Boltz.
• Senders do not need to hold or convert stablecoins before initiating a payment.
• The feature is non-custodial and currently supports outbound stablecoin payments only.
• Support for receiving stablecoins from external blockchains is planned for a future release.

Breez Expands SDK to Enable Bitcoin-Funded Stablecoin Transfers

Bitcoin infrastructure company Breez has added a new capability to its developer toolkit that allows users to send USDC and USDT directly from a Bitcoin balance. The feature supports transfers across more than 30 blockchain networks and removes the need for users to first convert their Bitcoin into stablecoins or maintain separate token balances.

According to the company, the system operates through the Lightning Network, Bitcoin’s layer-2 payment protocol designed to enable faster and lower-cost transactions. When a user enters a recipient’s wallet address, the Breez software development kit identifies the destination blockchain, calculates a conversion route, and displays the relevant amount, network, and fees before confirmation.

Once the payment is approved, the transaction is routed through liquidity providers including Flashnet and Boltz. These providers convert the sender’s Bitcoin into USDC or USDT and deliver the funds on the recipient’s chosen blockchain. The recipient receives stablecoins on their preferred network, while the sender continues to hold Bitcoin until the moment the transaction is executed.

Interoperability Without Stablecoins on Lightning

Breez CEO Roy Sheinfeld stated that the feature does not require USDC or USDT to be issued directly on the Lightning Network. Instead, the system relies on interoperability between Bitcoin and supported blockchain networks.

This approach allows users to spend from a Bitcoin balance while recipients obtain stablecoins on external chains. The structure is designed to simplify the payment experience for developers and end users by reducing the need to manage multiple wallets or blockchain integrations.

The company describes the feature as non-custodial. Users retain control over their Bitcoin until they initiate a transaction. At launch, the functionality is limited to outbound payments in stablecoins. Breez indicated that support for receiving stablecoins from other blockchains into a Bitcoin-based environment is planned for a later update.

Developer-Focused Integration Across Multiple Blockchains

The new feature is embedded in Breez’s SDK, targeting developers who want to integrate stablecoin payments into their applications without building direct connections to numerous blockchain networks.

By abstracting the routing and conversion process, the SDK aims to handle blockchain detection, exchange calculation, and liquidity sourcing automatically. This reduces the need for separate Bitcoin and stablecoin infrastructure within a single application.

For platforms that serve international users, including services where customers prefer stablecoin settlement but hold Bitcoin, the integration can streamline payment flows. Developers can offer payouts or transfers in USDC or USDT while users fund transactions from BTC balances.

Broader Expansion of Lightning-Based Payment Infrastructure

The announcement comes amid continued development of Bitcoin and Lightning Network infrastructure for a range of financial use cases.

In February, institutional trading and lending desk Secure Digital Markets completed a 1 million US dollar Bitcoin payment to Kraken over the Lightning Network in less than half a second. The transaction demonstrated the protocol’s potential for high-value transfers, beyond small retail payments.

Also in February, Bitcoin infrastructure company Voltage introduced a US dollar-settled revolving credit line embedded into Lightning payment flows. The product allows businesses to settle repayments in either US dollars or Bitcoin and is structured to provide working capital access without requiring companies to hold crypto assets on their balance sheets.

In another development, event platform Satlantis launched a Bitcoin-native ticketing system with integrated Lightning wallets. The platform enables event organizers to sell tickets and accept Bitcoin alongside traditional payment methods.

Additionally, Tether-backed startup Ark Labs raised 5.2 million US dollars in March to develop technology supporting stablecoin issuance, transfers, and settlement on Bitcoin.

According to a February report from River, Lightning Network transaction volume surpassed 1 billion US dollars per month in late 2025. The report noted that this figure had increased significantly from approximately 12 million US dollars in 2021, indicating sustained growth in network activity.

Implications for Cross-Chain Payments and Stablecoin Use

The ability to fund stablecoin transfers directly from Bitcoin balances addresses a practical gap between Bitcoin liquidity and stablecoin-based settlement. Many applications and platforms use USDC or USDT for pricing and payouts, while users may primarily hold BTC.

By automating conversion at the point of transaction, Breez’s integration removes the requirement for users to manually exchange assets before making a payment. It also shifts the complexity of routing and liquidity management to backend infrastructure providers.

For users who rely on stablecoins for predictable value settlement across different blockchain ecosystems, the feature expands the ways in which Bitcoin can be used in cross-chain transactions.

Our Assessment

Breez’s new SDK feature introduces a mechanism for sending USDC and USDT across more than 30 blockchains directly from Bitcoin balances, using the Lightning Network and third-party liquidity providers. The system is non-custodial and currently supports outbound payments only. The launch aligns with broader growth in Lightning-based financial infrastructure, including institutional transfers, credit products, and stablecoin-related development on Bitcoin. For developers, the integration reduces the need to manage separate blockchain connections and token balances within payment-enabled applications.