Strike
Buy Bitcoin with zero trading fees and send money globally via Lightning Network—for individuals and businesses alike.
Why We Recommend Strike
Strike operates as a fully custodial service with a clear commitment to backing all user funds. The company explicitly states that all cash and Bitcoin held in custody are maintained 1:1 for each user, meaning no fractional reserves or rehypothecation of customer assets. This segregated custody model ensures your funds are always available when you need them.
Strike is a regulated U.S. financial technology company headquartered in Chicago, operating under money-transmitter and virtual-currency compliance frameworks. The company has raised $80 million in funding from institutional investors including Washington University in St. Louis, University of Wyoming, Valor Capital Group, and Ten31, demonstrating significant backing from established financial and academic institutions. Strike has built a reputation in the Bitcoin community for promoting real-world Bitcoin and Lightning Network adoption, including participation in projects like El Salvador's Bitcoin integration.
Best For
Strike is ideal for anyone who wants to buy Bitcoin with minimal fees and maximum simplicity. The zero trading fee structure makes it particularly attractive for regular buyers using dollar-cost averaging strategies, where recurring purchases can be set hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly. The platform handles all the complexity of Bitcoin and Lightning while presenting a clean, intuitive interface.
For people sending money internationally, Strike's Send Globally feature transforms cross-border remittances. Senders fund transfers in their local currency, Strike routes the payment over Bitcoin's Lightning Network in seconds, and recipients receive local fiat directly to their bank accounts in 65+ countries. This makes Strike valuable for supporting family abroad or paying international contractors.
Businesses benefit from Strike's merchant services and API integrations, which enable accepting Bitcoin and Lightning payments while settling in local fiat currency. This allows companies to reduce payment processing costs compared to traditional card networks while avoiding Bitcoin price volatility. The platform serves both small merchants and larger enterprises needing programmatic payment infrastructure.
Services & Features
- Zero-fee Bitcoin trading
- Lightning Network payments
- Send Globally remittances (65+ countries)
- Recurring DCA purchases
- Target/limit orders
- Business payment processing
- Enterprise API for payments
- On-chain withdrawals (free from Strike)
- Auto-convert Lightning to fiat
- Bank account integration
Considerations
Strike is fully custodial with comprehensive KYC requirements including government ID and proof of address. Users do not control private keys. Geographic availability varies significantly - some U.S. states (notably New York and Hawaii) have limited or no access, and features differ by country. Bitcoin is the only cryptocurrency supported.
