Amazon and Google Control Almost Half of Bitcoin Lightning Network Nodes
Date: 2025-06-19 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: BUSINESS
According to the latest data from Mempool Space, about 45% of all Lightning Network nodes operate on the infrastructure of Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud. Such concentration indicates a significant influence of the largest IT companies on the development of the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Amazon controls almost 30% of the Lightning network nodes, which has become a reason for speculation about the possible implementation of Bitcoin payments on the company's platform in the near future. As noted by the investor The Bitcoin Nurse, Amazon occupies a leading position among Lightning node operators, and the integration of this technology into their services may happen very soon.
Lightning Network is a specialized protocol that allows for fast and inexpensive payments in Bitcoin, creating direct channels between network participants. Unlike classic Bitcoin nodes, which store the entire transaction history, Lightning processes only current payments, which significantly increases speed and reduces fees.
Lightning payments are growing in popularity due to their high speed and low cost. This protocol opens up new opportunities for the corporate sector, allowing companies such as Tether, Uber, Revolut, Nubank and Steak ‘n Shake, as well as countries such as El Salvador, to use Bitcoin in everyday payments.
An important indicator of the network’s growth is the increase in the number of nodes from less than 3,000 in 2019 to more than 16,000 in 2025. At the same time, blockchain transaction fees have halved since the end of last year, notes Jamie Coutts, chief crypto analyst at RealVision. He also suggested that the reduction in costs could facilitate the transition of large companies and even government agencies to the use of on-chain payments.
According to Coutts, if large retailers and governments begin to actively use on-chain transactions, this will lead to a significant increase in activity on the network, despite the decrease in individual fees.
In addition, on June 17, 2025, the US Senate approved the GENIUS Act, which could stimulate the development of the stablecoin market to $3.7 trillion by the end of the decade. This will also contribute to increased activity in blockchain networks and expanded opportunities for on-chain payments.
Thus, the influence of tech giants on the Bitcoin Lightning Network infrastructure continues to increase, opening up new prospects for the development of cryptocurrency payments in the global economy.
