Articles on: Canada

How to Swap Bitcoin Between the Blockchain and the Lightning Network

This Canada-only feature lets you swap bitcoin between the Bitcoin blockchain and the Lightning Network without sending it to an exchange first.


Bitcoin Well charges a 0.5% fee for swaps between the Bitcoin blockchain and the Lightning Network. Review the live quote in your account before sending because fees and limits can change.


Before you begin


You need a destination wallet on the network where you want to receive bitcoin:


  • Choose a Lightning address, LNURL, or compatible Lightning destination to receive over Lightning.
  • Choose a Bitcoin address to receive on-chain.


The destination determines the direction of the swap. Confirm the complete destination and network before sending. A Bitcoin address cannot receive a Lightning payment, and a Lightning invoice cannot receive an on-chain transaction.


Start a swap


  1. Sign in to Bitcoin Well and select Swap.
  2. Under Destination, select Select wallet.
  3. Choose a saved wallet or select Add wallet.
  4. If you add a wallet, enter a label and the Bitcoin address, Lightning address, or LNURL.


The current Swap page with the destination wallet selector


The Add wallet form for a swap destination


Swap on-chain bitcoin to Lightning


  1. Choose a Lightning destination.
  2. Bitcoin Well displays a swap address and QR code for the on-chain bitcoin you need to send.
  3. Open your Bitcoin wallet and send bitcoin to the displayed swap address.
  4. Wait for Bitcoin Well to detect the transaction and begin processing the swap.
  5. Bitcoin Well forwards the swapped bitcoin to your Lightning destination.


Swap Lightning bitcoin to on-chain


  1. Choose an on-chain Bitcoin destination.
  2. Bitcoin Well displays a Lightning invoice or QR code.
  3. Open your Lightning wallet and pay the exact invoice shown.
  4. Bitcoin Well sends the swapped bitcoin to your on-chain destination.


Bitcoin Well also provides a reusable Lightning Address in the format your-welltag@swap.btcw.app. Replace your-welltag with your Bitcoin Well welltag. Use it only for Lightning payments and confirm the on-chain destination saved in your account before sending.


Lightning invoices are normally one-time payment requests. Generate a fresh invoice if the page expires or tells you to try again.


Use swaps for recurring buys


Buying smaller amounts directly to Lightning can avoid creating many small on-chain outputs. When you are ready to move a larger amount to cold storage, swap the accumulated Lightning balance to one on-chain address.


Begin with a small test swap when using a new wallet or destination.


If a swap is delayed


  • Check that the payment was sent on the network requested by the swap page.
  • For an on-chain payment, look up the transaction ID and confirm that it has been broadcast.
  • For a Lightning payment, confirm that the invoice shows as paid in your wallet.
  • Keep the swap page or transaction details available when contacting Bitcoin Well support.

Updated on: 14/07/2026

Was this article helpful?

Share your feedback

Cancel

Thank you!