AvoPay announced that its Bitcoin Lightning payment plugin for WooCommerce is now available through the WordPress Marketplace, allowing merchants to add Bitcoin payment functionality to WordPress-based online stores.

According to the company, merchants can begin accepting Bitcoin Lightning payments by installing the AvoPay plugin and connecting AQUA Wallet. 

AvoPay states that the integration works alongside existing payment methods and does not require merchants to operate a Bitcoin or Lightning node.

The company describes AvoPay as a non-custodial payment solution that sends payments directly to a merchant's wallet rather than holding funds through a payment processor. 

According to AvoPay, payments settle through the Bitcoin Lightning Network and are delivered directly to the merchant's connected wallet.

AvoPay's integration is designed to work with AQUA, an open-source Bitcoin wallet developed by JAN3. 

The company states that merchants connect the wallet by scanning a QR code from the AvoPay dashboard and that funds received through the platform are sent directly to the wallet under the merchant's control.

According to AvoPay, neither the company nor AQUA takes custody of merchant funds, with users retaining control of their private keys and wallet backups. 

The company states that the service is available through a WooCommerce plugin as well as a web API for custom website integrations. 

AvoPay currently offers a free trial for new users, with paid subscription plans available for merchants seeking continued access to the service.

AvoPay says its platform is intended to provide merchants with an additional payment option that leverages the Bitcoin Lightning Network for online transactions.