Getting Started
What is Grid and who is it for?
What is Grid and who is it for?
Grid is a low-level payment infrastructure API that enables businesses, financial institutions, and developers to send and receive payments globally across fiat currencies, stablecoins, and Bitcoin.Grid is ideal for:
- Fintech companies building payment products
- Businesses sending international payouts
- Platforms enabling P2P payments
- Companies offering crypto on/off-ramps
- Businesses distributing rewards or incentives
How do I get started with Grid?
How do I get started with Grid?
1
Create an Account
Go to app.lightspark.com to create your account and access the Grid dashboard.
2
Generate Sandbox API Keys
Generate your sandbox API keys from the dashboard and start building and testing your integration.
3
Go to Production
Once testing is complete, reach out to your Lightspark contact to receive production credentials and launch with real transactions.
Do I need to know about cryptocurrency to use Grid?
Do I need to know about cryptocurrency to use Grid?
No. Grid handles all on-chain operations, wallet management, and crypto conversions behind the scenes. You interact with a simple REST API using familiar concepts like customers, accounts, and transactions. Bitcoin and stablecoins are just another payment rail that Grid manages for you automatically.
Building your integration
Can I test without moving real money?
Can I test without moving real money?
Yes. The sandbox lets you test your integration without making real payments. Use sandbox API credentials and the simulation tools to exercise payment outcomes before going live. See sandbox testing.
Do sandbox and production use different APIs?
Do sandbox and production use different APIs?
They use the same base URL. Your API token determines which environment a request uses. Production access is arranged with your Lightspark contact after testing. See environments.
Which currencies and payment rails can I use?
Which currencies and payment rails can I use?
Check currencies and payment rails for coverage. Your platform’s configuration determines which currencies are enabled for your integration. Use
GET /config to check your supported currencies and their customer information requirements.How do I know whether a payment has completed?
How do I know whether a payment has completed?
Use webhooks to receive payment status changes, and retrieve the transaction when you need its current state. Verify webhook signatures and handle duplicate events using the event ID. See the transaction lifecycle and webhook guide.
Can I start issuing cards as soon as I have API credentials?
Can I start issuing cards as soon as I have API credentials?
Cards must be enabled for your platform, and you need to complete card-issuer onboarding before launching. The implementation overview covers the setup and prerequisites.
Licensing and customer verification
Is Lightspark licensed?
Is Lightspark licensed?
Yes. Lightspark’s regulated entities hold licenses for financial services, including money transmission in the US and electronic money and crypto-asset services in Europe. See the licenses page for the entities, jurisdictions, and licenses. Coverage depends on the service and where you operate; contact our team to discuss your setup.
Who handles customer verification?
Who handles customer verification?
It depends on your platform’s setup. Lightspark provides hosted and API-based KYC/KYB flows for platforms that rely on Lightspark for verification. Regulated platforms follow a separate onboarding path. Requirements vary by customer type, region, and currency. See customer configuration for both paths and the information to collect.