Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

30 May 2025

Kiwi Bitcoin Startup Lightning Pay Raises at $4.5m Valuation, Welcomes Ankh & Ohm and Analyst Willy Woo as Investors

Queenstown, New Zealand – Lightning Pay, a one-and-a-half-year-old, New Zealand-based Bitcoin company, today announced the close of its seed funding round, which will fund progress towards building out next-generation money infrastructure.

The round was led by US-based Ankh & Ohm Capital at a NZ$4.5 million valuation, along with additional support and investment from on-chain analyst Willy Woo. Woo’s involvement adds a significant vote of confidence from one of Bitcoin’s most respected voices.

“New Zealand is often overlooked in the global Bitcoin ecosystem,” said Woo. “Lightning Pay is building the kind of infrastructure that makes Bitcoin accessible, usable, and integrated into daily financial life. I'm excited to support such a technically capable and mission-focused team.”

Lightning Pay is developing services that make saving, spending, and accepting Bitcoin seamless for consumers and merchants. Its open banking integration allows users to move between traditional finance and Bitcoin with unprecedented ease - combining security, lower fees, and greater privacy.

“This is about building lasting financial infrastructure, using better money,” said Brandon Bucher, CEO of Lightning Pay. “Bitcoin has the potential to improve financial inclusion, reduce costs, and increase economic freedom. With this funding, we’re accelerating that future for New Zealanders.”

Part of the funding will support The Bitcoin Basin, a charitable initiative based in Queenstown aimed at educating the public and local businesses about Bitcoin. Since its launch, the number of merchants in the area accepting Bitcoin payments has doubled, and regular workshops and events have helped spread awareness about sound money and digital payments.

“Queenstown is becoming a real-world case study for Bitcoin as a medium of exchange,” added Bucher. “We believe this model can be replicated across the country.”

The round signals growing offshore investor interest in New Zealand Bitcoin startups and positions Lightning Pay as a leader in the country's evolving digital financial ecosystem.

Media Contact:

Dr. Simon Collins
Chief Revenue Officer, Lightning Pay
Email: simon@lightningpay.nz
Website: www.lightningpay.nz