Strike plugin is an open-source add-on for BTCPay Server that lets merchants accept Bitcoin payments over the Lightning Network and route them through a Strike account. It suits people who already run, or plan to run, their own BTCPay Server and want a Strike Wallet at the end of the payment flow. The plugin is free and released under the MIT license.
The most recent code update in the project repository is dated June 2025, so the plugin is not deprecated and remains relevant. Because it extends an existing server rather than working as a standalone app, you should be comfortable with basic server administration before starting. This page explains what the plugin does, how it fits into a BTCPay setup, and what to check before you use it for real payments.
What Is Strike Plugin and How It Fits Into BTCPay Server
BTCPay Server is a self-hosted, open-source payment processor. It creates invoices, displays checkout pages and detects incoming payments, all without a third-party payment gateway taking a cut of the process. Plugins extend that base with extra integrations, and Strike plugin is one of them.
The Lightning Network is a second-layer network built on top of Bitcoin. It is designed for fast, low-value payments, which makes it a practical match for everyday purchases. Strike plugin connects this Lightning side of BTCPay Server to a Strike account.
The trust model is different from running a Bitcoin node on your own hardware. Strike Wallet is a hosted wallet operated by Strike, so part of your payment flow depends on that company. Understanding this trade-off before you commit is the most important part of evaluating the plugin.
Who Should Consider Strike Plugin for Payments
The plugin fits merchants who already use BTCPay Server or are willing to set it up. An online seller who wants to offer bitcoin at checkout, using Lightning for speed, is a typical example. A freelancer who sends invoices to international clients and wants payments to land in a familiar wallet is another.
A small café or event vendor with a tablet at the counter may find the setup more involved than a simple wallet app. Those users might be better served by a dedicated point-of-sale tool. Strike plugin is most useful when the goal is online or invoice-based payments.
People who want to learn the mechanics of Bitcoin payments can also use this plugin as a practical starting point. Setting up a test invoice and watching it settle teaches more than reading about the process alone.
Understanding Lightning Liquidity and Settlement
Liquidity on the Lightning Network refers to the funds available in payment channels so that a payment can be routed from sender to receiver. If a channel does not have enough funds on the correct side, a payment can fail even when the wallets look healthy. Managing this well is one of the hardest parts of running Lightning infrastructure yourself.
With Strike plugin, that work is handled on the Strike side, which simplifies the merchant's job. You still need to understand what happens to your money, though. Received payments may arrive in the Strike Wallet, and if you enable fiat settlement, bitcoin may be converted before it reaches your bank or balance.
When you test the setup, send a small invoice, confirm it appears in your Strike account and check the amount, currency and timing. This simple routine shows you how settlement behaves before real orders depend on it.
Key features
Lightning payments delivered to Strike Wallet
Bitcoin price hedge through fiat settlement
Lightning liquidity managed by Strike
Supported coins
The plugin supports Bitcoin (BTC) payments over the Lightning Network. Incoming payments can be received on Lightning and routed to a Strike account, with optional settlement into fiat currency. Because the integration is scoped to these two networks, it is not a general multi-coin payment processor.
How to install Strike plugin on Windows
- 1
Confirm your BTCPay Server setup
Make sure you have a working BTCPay Server instance and administrator access before adding any plugin. Strike plugin extends that server, so it cannot run on its own as a standalone program.
- 2
Get the plugin from the official source
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/Marfusios/strike-btcpayserver-plugin. Choose the package that matches your environment, since the project lists both a Windows build or installer and other options.
- 3
Verify the file
Check the SHA-256 checksum or signature if the release provides one, and compare it with the value published by the project. If the values do not match, do not install the file.
-
Install and connect Strike
Follow the installation instructions in the repository documentation to add the plugin to your BTCPay Server. Then link your Strike account through the plugin settings and confirm the connection before you accept any payments.
How to use Strike plugin
Once the plugin is installed and linked, the workflow is straightforward. Test it with small amounts before you rely on it for customer orders. The steps below cover a typical first run.
- Open your BTCPay Server admin panel and locate the Strike plugin settings.
- Connect your Strike account and confirm that the connection status shows as active.
- Choose whether you want received bitcoin to settle into fiat currency or remain as bitcoin.
- Create a small test invoice in BTCPay Server for an amount you can afford to lose if something goes wrong.
- Pay the invoice with a Lightning wallet and watch the status change on the invoice page.
- Check that the payment appears in your Strike Wallet with the expected amount and currency.
- Review the settlement record, then repeat the test before enabling the plugin for live checkout.
Pros & cons
- Free to use and released under the MIT license
- Open source, so the code can be reviewed on GitHub
- Lightning payments can be delivered directly to a Strike Wallet
- Optional fiat settlement reduces exposure to Bitcoin price swings
- Lightning liquidity is managed by Strike
- Requires an existing BTCPay Server instance
- Relies on a Strike account for receiving and settling payments
- Covers only Bitcoin and the Lightning Network
- The most recent code update is from June 2025, so check the repository for newer activity
Is Strike plugin safe?
Payment plugins handle real money, so install them with care. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub repository, and avoid forum links or unofficial mirrors. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature when the release provides one, and compare it with the value published by the project.
Never enter a seed phrase, Strike login details or API credentials on a third-party website. Treat any connection token like a password. The MIT-licensed code is open to independent review, which helps, but it does not replace your own testing. Check the latest version on the official website before updating, because the last code update dates to June 2025.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/Marfusios/strike-btcpayserver-plugin. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Strike plugin is one add-on for BTCPay Server, which is itself a self-hosted payment processor. BTCPay Server handles invoices, checkout and payment detection, so the plugin only adds the Strike integration on top. Btcpayserver Docker is a deployment tool for setting up the standard server stack, so it solves a different problem from the plugin.
The key difference is settlement. Strike plugin routes Lightning payments to a Strike account and offers an optional fiat conversion step. For in-person sales, CryptoTerminal is aimed at point-of-sale payments rather than online invoicing. Nbxplorer is a lower-level UTXO tracker for developers, not a checkout product.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- —
- Last update
- 9 Jun 2025
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/Marfusios/strike-btcpayserver-plugin
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the plugin is free and released under the MIT license. Its source code is public on GitHub, so you can read it before installing. Running BTCPay Server has its own hosting costs, and any Strike account terms apply separately from the plugin itself.
The project lists Windows support through a Windows build or installer. Many merchants run BTCPay Server on a Linux server or a virtual private server, so the Windows package matters most if your own setup runs on Windows. Check the repository for the file that matches your environment before downloading.
It is open source and MIT-licensed, which allows independent review, but safety still depends on where you download it and how you configure it. Download from the official GitHub repository, verify the checksum when one is available, and never enter a seed phrase on a third-party site.
It supports Bitcoin (BTC) payments over the Lightning Network. It is not a multi-coin processor, so it does not accept other cryptocurrencies through this integration. If you need several coins, look at a broader BTCPay Server setup or a different tool.
Install the plugin into a working BTCPay Server instance, connect your Strike account in the plugin settings, and create a small test invoice. When the test payment arrives in your Strike Wallet with the correct amount, you can start accepting real Lightning payments. Follow the numbered steps in the how-to section.
Lightning payments run on a second-layer network built on top of Bitcoin, which usually makes them faster and cheaper for smaller amounts. On-chain payments are recorded directly on the Bitcoin blockchain and can take longer to confirm. Strike plugin focuses on the Lightning side of that choice.
Verdict
Strike plugin is a sensible choice for BTCPay Server operators who want Bitcoin Lightning payments delivered to a Strike Wallet and an optional route to fiat settlement. Its free, MIT-licensed code is easy to inspect, and its narrow scope keeps the setup understandable. It is less suitable for anyone who wants a standalone desktop app or support for many coins. Test it thoroughly with small payments before accepting real orders.