x402 is a new open-source protocol from Coinbase that enables on-chain payments directly over HTTP using the long-unused 402 status code. It allows apps, APIs, and autonomous agents to pay per request without accounts or third-party gateways, aiming to power the machine-payable internet.

Lightspark continues its UMA project aimed at making Lightning Network more convenient. Sending money to an email address sounds intriguing. Could a familiar interface help with the Bitcoin L2's adoption?

Yet to become the payment network for the masses it was designed to be, the Bitcoin layer-2 scaling solution faces increasing security, centralization, and censorship-resistant challenges.

The vulnerability could allegedly impact multiple applications. With no immediate fix on the horizon, the Lightning Network community may face significant challenges ahead.

The Bitcoin L2 developers have released the alpha version of the Taproot Asset protocol, which allows the building of stablecoins on top of the Bitcoin blockchain.

Tether and Strike money app have merged their user bases by adding USDT to the bitcoin-only platform.