Thunderstruck⚡️7.28.25

The latest and greatest from the world's largest Bitcoin-focused investing network!

Author

Mike Jarmuz
July 28, 2025

What’s up, Lightning⚡️Ventures gang!

Reminder! If you're interested in joining the Lightning⚡️Ventures investing network, just reply to this email and we’ll send you the details. You can also join our Telegram channel, or flash a Bat Signal to me to schedule a call or answer your questions.

📣 As a reminder, Lightning⚡️Ventures has a Syndicate, Fund, RegCF Crowdfunding Portal, and Consultancy!

  • Lightning⚡️Ventures is the world’s largest Bitcoin-focused, stage-agnostic, angel investing network! We invest anywhere between $100k - $500k. Join us!

  • Node 2 Fund invests $100k - $1M in Pre-seed and Series A Bitcoin companies. If you would like to schedule a call and discuss, please reply to this email.

  • Thunder Funder is a newly launched Equity Crowdfunding Portal dedicated to Bitcoin and Open-Source projects!

  • Spark Services is a consulting and advisory service that assists early-stage companies in fundraising, go-to-market, guerrilla marketing, product support, scaling, and more!

Bitcoin is trading just below its new ATH, and we're seeing seismic momentum from both market and policy fronts. Regulatory tailwinds from the U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve and legislation like the GENIUS Act are fueling institutional inflows and discourse around Bitcoin as “digital gold.” Estimates now point toward four-figure price targets before year’s end, with analysts eyeing $140k-$200k🚀

Meanwhile, builders are shipping, the hash rate is growing, Lightning is scaling, and capital is finally flowing into companies that understand the mission. At Lightning Ventures, we remain focused on what matters most: backing founders who build on Bitcoin, with conviction and code. 

In this issue, we’ve got a sneak deal preview, some solid portfolio updates, an updated Bitcoin events calendar, a new meme of the week, the latest Bitcoiner Jobs, and highlights from our YouTube series where founders share what it takes to build in this space. Let’s dive in.

📈 Portfolio News ICYMI

  • Formed alliances with digital gift card distributors including Razor (240M users), Enterative®LIVE (30M), DTOne (190M), KaBum! (8M), and PicPay (60M in Brazil).

  • Targets unbanked populations in Brazil, Europe, Middle East, and Africa by making Bitcoin accessible via vouchers, akin to prepaid mobile top-ups.

  • A simple tool for accepting Bitcoin donations on websites, featuring easy setup and global support.

  • Direct integration with Blink Wallet is ideal for creators, nonprofits, and projects seeking borderless support.

  • Fixed signing error for SegWit addresses.

  • Updated onboarding process for Envoy 2.0.

  • Added black splash screen for Stealth units.

  • Complete redesign of the onboarding experience.

  • Unified Taproot and SegWit accounts.

  • Added new node options and upgraded to BDK 2.0.

  • Fixed the unintended Bluetooth prompt issue.

  • Guides users through opening settings and navigating to wallets.

  • Explains adding a new wallet address and related steps.

  • Answers common questions like compatibility.

  • Partnerships with digital gift card distributors to reach 598 million new buyers, with an expected 1.3 billion customers as rollout continues.

  • Aims to bank the unbanked through Bitcoin gift cards.

  • 3-day Bitcoin event in Yucatán, presented by Yopaki.

  • Includes sessions, hackathon, and excursions.

  • Player design refresh and video playback.

  • AirPlay, Chromecast support, and auto-queue on play.

  • CEO FranciscoBTC shares how Breez SDK unlocks Lightning payments.

  • Focuses on building with Bitcoin easily.

  • Shared video highlights from Day 2 of the bootcamp in Kampala, Uganda.

  • Hackathon sessions start, supported by Tether Africa.

  • Will go live on mainnet by end of the week.

  • Blockstream Research providing developer documentation and tutorials.

⚡️ Orange Pill App publishes their entire Bitcoin events database to the Nostr network using NIP-52 (Calendar Events).

⚡️ Jack Mallers announces that Strike Lending is expanding globally to six new countries, allowing Bitcoin holders to borrow cash against their holdings without credit checks or selling their assets, featuring instant access, competitive rates starting at 10.5%, and up to 50% loan-to-value ratio

Get a sneak peek at the latest deal in our pipeline

VIDA Raising a Series A

VIDA provides an AI Phone Agent Enablement Platform that integrates with existing business communication systems, allowing companies to deploy AI agents that handle calls, texts, scheduling, emails, and more. Rather than replacing entire systems, Vida enhances existing infrastructure with AI capabilities.

✅ Strong product-market fit with >$1M ARR in 3 quarters
✅ Experienced team with proven exits in telecom/MarTech
✅ Distribution-focused strategy with significant partnerships
✅ High-margin business model (>90% gross margins)
✅ Large TAM with a clear path to market leadership
✅ Innovative warrant structure protecting existing investors

Your front-row seat to what’s happening in the Bitcoin Founder landscape. We spotlight the builders and the behind-the-scenes stories shaping the future of Bitcoin startups.

Are you a founder? Want to share your story, practice your pitch, or get real-time feedback on fundraising, regulation, and navigating the venture landscape? Whether you're just getting started or deep in the grind, this is your chance to connect with VCs, peers, and operators who live and breathe Bitcoin. Come hang out and learn!

Check out the latest “Must See TV” of Lightning⚡️Ventures Founder Interviews

In this Founder Deep Dive, we talk with Jesse from Amboss. He explains their expanding suite of Lightning Network tools - from Rails enabling non-custodial Bitcoin yield to Magma’s peer-to-peer channel marketplace and liquidity subscriptions for automated payment reliability. He explains how Amboss empowers businesses and individuals to earn yield, manage liquidity, and prepare for innovations like stablecoins on Lightning. With insights on compliance, privacy, and future plans, Jesse shares how Amboss is driving adoption and simplifying Lightning’s complexity for a global audience.

We’ve built a Bitcoin-only funding portal where anyone can back the next generation of Bitcoin startups. Think exclusive deal flow, a vibrant community of Bitcoiners, and a platform designed to be fun.

🎙️ Join the community.
🎯 Earn badges.
🎁 Win rewards.
💥 Support Bitcoin adoption with every investment.

And this is just the start. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming:

🏅 New Badges (and more ways to earn them)
📣 Public Shoutbox to chat with fellow Bitcoiners
🥇 Leaderboards for top investors and contributors
👤 Fresh Profile Pages to show off your achievements

Early users will unlock special perks and get front-row access to our next batch of Bitcoin-only deals. Sign up today and join the movement.

Earnable Thunder Funder Badges

We’ve come a long, long way - and it’s just getting started!

We’ll be at a lot of these events ! Come say hi. Be sure to stay tuned for details on the Satoshi Rockamoto satellite events

Work in Bitcoin! There is no second-best career

Ready to Raise? Let’s Make It Happen.

If you’re a founder who is building on Bitcoin, are you ready to level up? At Lightning Ventures, we work with the best builders in the space, helping them connect with investors who share their passion on all things Bitcoin. Whether you’re developing on Lightning, exploring Taproot Assets, or crafting the next-generation Bitcoin product, we want to hear from you.

Applying is easy — just fill out this form and tell us what you’re working on. We’re here to support bold ideas, spark big conversations, and help you find the right backers to fuel your vision. Let’s build the future together.