How to send tokens on Bitcoin Lightning Network
Send tokens on Bitcoin Lightning with a Taproot Assets or RGB wallet; the wallet needs bitcoin for fees and liquidity.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
On this page
- Lightning moves bitcoin natively, not arbitrary tokens.
- Taproot Assets and RGB add assets to Bitcoin.
- Confirm the asset ID and amount before you approve.
This guide shows the checks to make before you approve a payment.
What You Need Before You Start
A standard Bitcoin wallet usually will not show Taproot Assets. Choose a wallet that supports Taproot Assets on Lightning and can open an asset channel. Fund it with bitcoin for fees and channel liquidity.
How to Send the Tokens
Lightning does not natively send arbitrary tokens. Taproot Assets and RGB add assets to Bitcoin. Taproot Assets were originally called Taro, introduced in 2022 and renamed in 2023. Open an asset channel, then request the recipient's asset invoice.
- 1Open asset channelYour wallet creates a channel that holds the asset and bitcoin for fees. Check the asset balance before you continue.
- 2Request asset invoiceAsk the recipient for an asset invoice from a compatible wallet. It includes the asset ID and amount.
- 3Confirm asset ID and amountCompare the asset ID and amount with what you intend to send. Check the invoice is for an asset, not regular bitcoin.
- 4Approve and waitApprove the payment and wait for it to show as settled. Lightning payments are final, so you cannot reverse one.
After Sending: Records and Safety
After the payment settles, save the invoice and payment details. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, so buying with US dollars is not taxable, but trading one crypto for another or paying with crypto can be. Back up your seed phrase and asset proofs.
Bitcoin price todayLive price, charts and market data live in our Coins section.Frequently asked questions
No. Lightning natively sends bitcoin. Taproot Assets or RGB send specific assets, and the recipient's wallet must support the same protocol.
A regular wallet usually does not show Taproot Assets. The payment can fail, and recovery may need a compatible wallet and the asset proofs.
No. They are separate assets issued on Bitcoin. They rely on bitcoin for fees and security, but they are not bitcoin.
Restore your seed phrase in a wallet that supports Taproot Assets. Seed alone may not bring back assets; you also need the asset proofs.
