Bitcoin software provider Breez has released a new application designed to serve both everyday users and developers. The product, called Glow, aims to simplify Lightning transactions for general users while simultaneously functioning as an open-source reference for builders seeking to implement Bitcoin features via the Breez SDK's API.

The Lightning Network, a Layer 2 payment protocol built atop Bitcoin, has long faced criticism for the complexity involved in setting up and managing payment channels. By packaging a streamlined consumer experience alongside a transparent codebase, Breez is attempting to address both the usability gap that has slowed mainstream Lightning adoption and the engineering overhead that deters developers from building Bitcoin-native applications.

According to Breez, Glow packages the essential features necessary for any Bitcoin application to be competitive in its category. Because the app is open-source, developers can examine Glow's codebase to understand how specific features — including passkey login, Lightning addresses, and stablecoin transfers — are implemented, and adapt them for their own projects rather than building from scratch.

For instance, a developer constructing a social application would not need to independently determine how Lightning addresses or contact lists should function. They could review Glow's code, observe the API calls it makes, and replicate that functionality in their own product with minimal effort. Breez states that developers can fork Glow, rebrand it, and release it as their own application.

Since developers building on the SDK never take custody of user funds, Breez notes that the regulatory footprint remains minimal, allowing teams to concentrate on product development rather than compliance overhead. This non-custodial model has become a key differentiator in the Bitcoin wallet space, as custodial offerings have drawn increasing scrutiny from regulators in jurisdictions including the United States and the European Union.

The Glow release follows Breez's announcement last month of a partnership with Turnkey, a collaboration that enables developers to add non-custodial Bitcoin functionality to applications running wallets from their own servers. This addresses a custody-related challenge that has historically prevented many of the largest consumer platforms from integrating Bitcoin.

According to the two companies, private keys remain inaccessible to the app's servers, Breez, and Turnkey. The company's backend holds a credential that defines what actions it can take, while the authority to move funds remains solely with the user. The partnership positions major consumer applications to integrate non-custodial Bitcoin without rebuilding their backend infrastructure or assuming custody of user funds.

This article first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and was written by Mathew Di Salvo.