Mutiny, a Bitcoin wallet startup, has released a beta version of what it claims to be the first self-custodial Lightning wallet that runs on the web. This browser-based wallet avoids restrictions that might be placed on wallets distributed through app stores run by Apple or Google. Mutiny CEO Tony Giorgio says this web-based wallet allows for unrestricted innovation and is the key quality that sets the product apart from its competition.
Our main difference compared to other Lightning wallets like Phoenix and Muun is that our wallet is a progressive web app (PWA), Giorgio told journalists. So we can ship and push updates that are not restricted to the limitations of the Apple or Google store platforms.
The wallet includes a feature called just-in-time channels, which alleviates the burden of managing channel liquidity – the ability to send and receive funds on Lightning, Bitcoin’s second layer payment network for cheaper and faster transactions. Mutiny also has a social tipping capability via the Nostr Wallet Connect (NWC) protocol, which allows the wallet to easily integrate with Nostr apps like Damus to enable tips, also known as zaps. Last week, Mutiny CTO Ben Carman and CPO Paul Miller released Zapple Pay, which enables zaps via emojis and allows Damus users to tip on posts, despite Apple’s restrictions.
The company emphasizes that Mutiny is still in beta mode, meaning there may still be bugs to fix. Some lesser-known bugs exist, but we generally want to exercise caution when using this wallet for now, the company states on its blog.