Voltage has introduced Voltage Credit, offering a flexible credit line that enables businesses to make instant payments via Bitcoin’s network while repaying in full USD.
Following this unveiling, Voltage, an American provider of Bitcoin infrastructure services, has rolled out Voltage Credit. This service is intended for companies looking to utilize the Lightning Network for payments without having to hold Bitcoin on their books or pre-fund accounts. Repayment occurs through a standard bank account in USD, and it is currently accessible to eligible businesses within the United States.
Mechanics of the Product
According to the official announcement, Voltage Credit functions as an on-demand, revolving credit facility. Businesses can draw from this line to initiate payments that settle rapidly over Bitcoin infrastructure — through Lightning Network or directly on-chain — and repay any outstanding balances in USD. Interest is charged only on the amount borrowed, with full restoration of credit upon repayment. There are no upfront fees, and a fixed annual percentage rate applies to the outstanding balance.
Credit limits are determined based on actual payment volume processed through Voltage’s network rather than static collateral, allowing for scalability as businesses process more transactions. This approach addresses two key challenges often faced by finance teams — the need to pre-fund accounts and the requirement to manage cryptocurrency assets.
Market Strategy and Industry Context
Voltage Credit aims to serve two main customer groups. The first includes enterprises from non-crypto sectors who are considering Bitcoin payment solutions for their cost and speed benefits — Lightning Network payments typically settle in seconds at a much lower cost compared to traditional card or wire systems — but have hesitated due to treasury complexity or accounting requirements. By keeping repayment in USD, the product aims to streamline the adoption process.
The second group consists of businesses already involved in digital assets, such as exchanges, payment service providers, and miners. These firms often face a financing gap where banks do not recognize Bitcoin-denominated revenue as qualifying collateral for credit underwriting, or existing crypto lending products require BTC as collateral, leading to potential tax issues and balance sheet volatility. Voltage Credit’s volume-based model offers an alternative that aligns with their operational needs.
Importantly, the product does not involve businesses in cryptocurrency exposure at any point during payment initiation or repayment. This separation is particularly beneficial for CFOs and treasury teams managing USD-denominated costs alongside Bitcoin-denominated revenues or payments.
The introduction of Voltage Credit represents an effort to position Bitcoin’s Lightning Network as a feasible settlement layer for complex enterprise use cases, with credit serving as the solution to working capital limitations that have hindered broader adoption among larger organizations.
