Western Cape-based financial technology company, Orange, is reshaping the landscape of cross-border payments for licensed remittance firms. By harnessing the Bitcoin Lightning Network, Orange offers a seamless, low-cost solution designed to bypass the inefficiencies of traditional systems like SWIFT.

The innovation is Orange’s ability to bridge fiat currencies and Bitcoin. Transactions are processed through the Lightning Network, but the complexity of Bitcoin is invisible to end users. The result is a fast, efficient payment process that eliminates the need for intermediaries.

Orange aims to expand across Africa, targeting remittances and exports, with plans to connect more countries and currencies, starting with Euro onramps.

In the coming years, as the South African economy comes under international pressure, solutions such as Orange and MoneyBadger (a solution allowing Bitcoin owners to pay retail outlets in the real world straight from their Bitcoin wallets - which we covered here) will become all the more valuable.

Orange founder Ricki Allardice is widely known as “the Bitcoin guy” for South Africa. Head of a Bitcoin consulting group called Bitcoin Only, Allardice has headed several initiatives toward producing financial instruments aimed at fixing the problems of fiat currency, and helping people to use Bitcoin

With more people owning and wanting receive payment in Bitcoin, the next hurdle in the evolution of private money lies in removing the barriers to exchange.

Part of the problem with trade, remote work, remittances, and other forms of exchange in Africa is the transfer cost for sending and receiving payment. In Nigeria, for example, sending money out of Nigeria costs 11%, receiving is 4%. These problems are widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, hindering trade and prosperity. In South Africa, SWIFT fees are not quite as steep, usually at 0.55%, with a R150 minimum.

But Orange promises less than half this fee, starting at just 0.25%. The transaction involves converting from, say, Naira, to the Lightning protocol, and then to Rands instantly, or from Rand to Rand domestically. But the system also has integration with mobile money systems, a common payment method in Kenya.

Effectively, Orange transforms international transfers into local ones. By leveraging the Bitcoin Lightning Network for interbank settlements, Orange enables cost-effective fiat-to-fiat transactions without requiring users to interact with Bitcoin directly. This makes the platform particularly appealing to traditional financial institutions seeking to modernize their operations. This approach not only reduces costs but also simplifies cross-border payments for businesses operating in Africa’s diverse financial landscape.

Orange’s services are designed for both traditional financial institutions and Bitcoin-focused businesses, with a focus on ensuring both privacy and compliance.

Partnering exclusively with licensed and compliant institutions, Orange prioritizes the careful handling of sensitive information. The company also offers flexible pricing options, allowing its clients to customize end-user fees while remaining competitive.

By integrating Bitcoin’s decentralized, inflation-resistant nature with the Lightning Network, Orange shields businesses from fiat volatility and geopolitical uncertainties. The platform’s secure, borderless technology ensures long-term resilience in an increasingly digital global economy. The Lightning Network reduces the need for float capital, thus cutting costs related to currency devaluation, credit lines, and operational capital.

Orange positions itself as a forward-looking partner for businesses navigating the complexities of global finance. Whether replacing SWIFT for cross-border payments or empowering financial institutions with faster, cheaper alternatives, Orange is at the forefront of a payments revolution. For licensed institutions seeking efficiency, compliance, and privacy, Orange’s innovative platform offers a compelling choice.

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