Introduction
Last updated
Last updated
Astra is a next-generation Web3 payment layer and the Unified AI x Payments solution designed to make PayFi practical, scalable, and accessible. Built on the robust Lightning Network, Astra bridges the gap between blockchain innovation and real-world finance, empowering Web3 with payment-ready infrastructure for mass adoption. By converting stablecoins and other blockchain assets into Lightning-compatible formats, Astra enables high-speed, zero-fee global instant payments that are ideal for agentic payments and seamless merchant transactions. Its easy verification through pre-images from Lightning invoices ensures trustless, transparent interactions, while its ability to interoperate with legacy financial systems accelerates integration and usability. Astra simplifies the adoption of PayFi for businesses, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that brings immediate value to users and partners alike—paving the way for Lightning to become the definitive payment layer for AI and beyond.
Astra consists of four products:
Astra Bridge allows for the creation of smart contracts, namely Hash Time-Locked Contracts (HTLC), that can make trust-minimized bridging of other chains’ native assets such as ERC20 into Taproot Assets on Lightning Network.
Astra Pay enables users to settle Bitcoin or stablecoin Lightning invoices with stablecoins from other blockchains in a single, atomic, and trustless transaction. This innovative solution eliminates the need for intermediaries, offering a seamless and secure payment experience while leveraging the speed and efficiency of the Lightning Network.
Astra Shop, the 'Amazon on Lightning Network', is a next-generation e-commerce marketplace built on the Lightning Network, designed to bring the speed and scalability of Web3 payments to online commerce. Astra Shop allows merchants and e-commerce platforms to list their products and accept Lightning-powered payments, enabling fast, low-cost, and borderless transactions.
Astra SDK simplifies bridging and payment integration for platforms and merchants, and deployments of AI Agents.
Enables Lightning Network for all blockchains, apps and tokens
Implements PayFi on Lightning Network for global, instant, ultra low-fee settlement
Drives ultra-low or zero-fee, high-frequency payments to power a trillion-agent economy
Astra is designed to support all kinds of blockchains and tokens. For the most updated list of our supported blockchains and tokens, check out the dropdown lists at .
In order to perform a bridging request, you must first have a compatible wallet on the blockchain and one, which supports Taproot Assets on Lightning Network. Astra supports the most popular wallets. If you have a wallet that isn't supported, reach out and ask us in .