Spark is a web-based GUI wallet with built-in Electrum software designed for speed, safety and simplicity that utilizes Blockstream’s Lightning implementation c-lightning as its backend. The platform allows for easy spending and receiving of bitcoins over the Lightning Network, which is renowned for its payment speeds. Users can also run their own Bitcoin-based nodes, c-lightning nodes and Spark GUIs in a completely trustless environment.
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Independent developer Nadav Ivgi is the developer behind the project. Also an ambassador at the Tel Aviv Bitcoin Embassy and the founder of Bitrated, a company that seeks to bring stronger consumer protection to blockchain applications, Ivgi developed Spark through a sponsorship from blockchain development company Blockstream.
Speaking with Bitcoin Magazine, he says Spark is a “purely off-chain wallet that provides a simple way to send and receive Lightning payments on multiple platforms. Spark is free and open-source software released under the terms of the MIT license.”
Spark provides users with a simple and minimalistic interface, designed to make things easy even for those with minimal crypto experience. It also includes automatic self-signed certificates, along with LetsEncrypt integration and Tor hidden service (v3) support for broader safety and security.
According to Ivgi, Spark can be used in three different ways, the first being through web browsers from any desktop or mobile devices. “For this, users need to set up Spark as a web server[3] alongside their c-lightning node, which they can then access from everywhere over the web,” he comments.
Spark can also be used via desktop[4] apps for Linux, macOS and Windows. These apps can connect directly to the c-lightning node and don’t require a Spark server setup. Lastly, Spark can be used with an Android
