Square Crypto Launches Lightning Development Kit ‘LDK’ To Boost Adoption Of The Network

The crypto initiative started by the payment firm Square and called Square Crypto has announced on Tuesday the launch of its first product.

We’ve got the team. We’ve got the mission. We’ve got hit or miss tweets. And now it’s time to talk about what we’re building: Introducing the Lightning Development Kit, or LDK. ⚡️ https://t.co/o73cJy7Cur

— Square Crypto (@sqcrypto) January 21, 2020

This product is a Lightning Development Kit (LDK) that’s meant to help the integration of Lightning with developers’ Bitcoin (BTC) wallet applications. It includes demo apps, language bindings, an API and many other elements that should make the Lightning integration safe, easy and simple to configure, says a blog post published by the group.

Square Crypto Took a Few Other Projects into Consideration

Square Crypto has mentioned that it took a few other projects into consideration, but that it finally concluded a Lightning-Network integration project for wallets is necessary, as developer are demanding it. This is what the company’s blog posted reads further:

“We spoke with dozens of wallet developers. What we heard was a desire for flexibility when integrating Lightning. Wallets and applications require different key store and backup mechanisms, security approaches, UX tradeoffs, and more. That means the solution is building for more wallets, not fewer.”

The Kit’s Release Not Yet Announced

The tools included in the kit intend to give developers an improved user experience, Square Crypto saying that:

“For bitcoin to become a widely used global currency – one that can’t be stopped, tampered with, or rigged in anyone’s favor – improvements to bitcoin’s UX, security, privacy, and scaling are required.”

It seems the kit is still getting built and a date for its release hasn’t been yet revealed. What’s sure is that today’s Lightning infrastructure is not complete and could sure use some more features. Back in December 2019, Square Crypto announced that it’s offering grants to a Lightning developer working part-time, in order to provide support for his work. Earlier in September, it hired 3 new team members, out of which 2 have experience with Lightning.