Startups > Blockstream

Blockstream

Blockstream enables faster, private Bitcoin transactions and asset issuance via sidechains and Lightning Network.
Debt Financing $651M total Founded 2014 Victoria, British Columbia 89 employees
Blockstream provides interoperable blockchain infrastructure and Bitcoin layer-2 solutions, including the Liquid Network sidechain, Core Lightning implementation, and Blockstream Satellite for global Bitcoin access. The company serves financial institutions, cryptocurrency exchanges, and developers building Bitcoin-native applications. Their integrated approach uniquely combines asset issuance, confidential transactions, and Lightning Network payments in a single platform, differentiating them from competitors focused on single-layer solutions.
Problem solved
Financial markets rely on centralized intermediaries and slow settlement times; Blockstream reduces counterparty risk and enables near-instant Bitcoin transactions through decentralized layer-2 infrastructure.
Target customer
Cryptocurrency exchanges, financial institutions, Bitcoin miners, institutional traders, and developers building Bitcoin layer-2 applications.
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Founders
A
Adam Back
CEO & Co-Founder
Inventor of Hashcash (used in Bitcoin mining), holds PhD in distributed systems from University of Exeter.
P
Pieter Wuille
Co-Founder
Prominent blockchain developer and cryptographer.
G
Greg Maxwell
Co-Founder
Leading blockchain security engineer and cryptography expert.
E
Erik Svenson
President & CFO
Executive leadership focused on financial operations and strategy.
Funding history
Seed $21M November 2014 Led by Unknown · Unknown
Series A $57M 2016 Led by Unknown · Unknown
Convertible Note $11M 2016 Led by Unknown · Unknown
Series B $210M August 2021 Led by Horizons Ventures, AXA Strategic Ventures · Unknown
Convertible Note $210M October 2024 Led by Fulgur Ventures · Unknown
Total raised: $651M
Industries
Cryptocurrency Bitcoin Computer FinTech Data Storage
Pricing
Varies by product; enterprise licensing, subscription-based plans, and pay-as-you-go options available. Pricing customized based on transaction volume, usage levels, and specific requirements. Contact for details.
Notable customers
Bitfinex, BitMEX, OKCoin, Stablehouse, Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Digital Garage, Pixelmatic
Integrations
Liquid Network (exchanges: Bitfinex, BitMEX, OKCoin), Core Lightning, Greenlight (hosted infrastructure), Blockstream Satellite, Green Wallet, Crypto Garage (partnership with Digital Garage), ICE cryptocurrency data feeds
Tech stack
Transifex (JavaScript frameworks) jQuery (JavaScript libraries) Axios (JavaScript libraries) RSS Open Graph HTTP/3 DocuSign Hotjar (Analytics) Google Analytics (Analytics) reCAPTCHA (Security) HSTS (Security) Typekit (Font scripts) Nginx (Reverse proxies) OpenResty (Web servers) Google Workspace (Email) Cloudflare (CDN) Unpkg (CDN) Google Hosted Libraries (CDN) cdnjs (CDN) Google Cloud CDN (CDN) Google Tag Manager (Tag managers) Google Cloud (IaaS) Sendgrid (Email)
Website
blockstream.com/
Competitors
Paxos
Broader cryptocurrency settlement platform; less integrated layer-2 focus than Blockstream's Lightning and Liquid combination.
Voltage
Focuses primarily on Lightning Network infrastructure; lacks Blockstream's sidechain and asset issuance capabilities.
Layer One
Specializes in base-layer Bitcoin solutions; does not offer integrated layer-2 and sidechain ecosystem like Blockstream.
Why this matters: Blockstream is one of the earliest and most technically credible Bitcoin infrastructure companies, founded by legendary cryptographers and developers. With $651M raised and recent $210M funding (Oct 2024), they're pivoting aggressively toward layer-2 technologies and mining operations, positioning Bitcoin infrastructure as a competitive moat against centralized finance.
Best for: Financial institutions, crypto exchanges, and Bitcoin developers needing fast, confidential transactions and decentralized asset issuance without reliance on centralized intermediaries.
Use cases
Confidential Cross-Exchange Trading
Liquid Network participants like Bitfinex and BitMEX can reduce counterparty risk by settling trades directly between platforms with privacy-preserving transactions. Near-instant settlement between exchange platforms and trader wallets eliminates intermediary delays and risk exposure.
Merchant Payment Processing
Stablehouse deployed Blockstream's infrastructure to provide point-of-sale token payments to merchants. Customers scan QR codes on inexpensive devices to complete transactions instantly using Bitcoin or stablecoins, enabling frictionless Bitcoin commerce.
Global Bitcoin Access Without Internet
Blockstream Satellite broadcasts the Bitcoin blockchain via satellite to users in regions without reliable internet connectivity. Enables Bitcoin participation for populations in developing regions or areas with restricted internet access.
Enterprise Lightning Network Deployment
Core Lightning serves as the leading Lightning Network implementation for enterprise Bitcoin payments. Institutions deploy Core Lightning for high-volume, low-cost Bitcoin transactions at scale.
Alternatives
Paxos Broader cryptocurrency settlement and custody platform; better for institutions needing regulatory compliance and multi-asset support rather than Bitcoin-specific layer-2 optimization.
Voltage Lightning-focused infrastructure provider; choose if you only need Lightning Network without sidechain or asset issuance capabilities.
Layer One Base-layer Bitcoin solutions; better for miners and node operators rather than layer-2 transaction or asset issuance needs.
FAQ
What does Blockstream do? +
Blockstream builds Bitcoin layer-2 infrastructure and sidechain solutions that enable faster, more private transactions and asset issuance. Their products include the Liquid Network (sidechain), Core Lightning (payment channel implementation), Blockstream Satellite (global Bitcoin broadcast), and Green Wallet (self-custody). The company serves financial institutions, exchanges, developers, and Bitcoin miners.
How much does Blockstream cost? +
Pricing varies by product and includes enterprise licensing, subscription plans, and pay-as-you-go options. Costs depend on transaction volume, usage levels, and specific requirements. Contact Blockstream sales for custom quotes.
What are alternatives to Blockstream? +
Paxos offers broader cryptocurrency settlement; Voltage specializes in Lightning Network infrastructure; Layer One focuses on base-layer Bitcoin solutions. Choose based on whether you need sidechain + Lightning integration (Blockstream), settlement only (Paxos), or Lightning-only payments (Voltage).
Who uses Blockstream? +
Cryptocurrency exchanges (Bitfinex, BitMEX, OKCoin), financial institutions, Bitcoin miners, enterprise developers, and merchants. Target customers are institutions needing confidential transactions, fast settlement, or Bitcoin-native asset issuance.
How does Blockstream compare to Paxos? +
Blockstream is Bitcoin-centric with integrated layer-2 and sidechain solutions (Liquid + Core Lightning), while Paxos is a broader cryptocurrency settlement and custody platform. Blockstream excels for privacy and layer-2 speed; Paxos excels for regulatory compliance and multi-asset institutional services.
Tags
Bitcoin layer-2 sidechains Lightning Network cryptocurrency infrastructure privacy blockchain institutional crypto