David Marcus, CEO of Lightsparkused Tuesday morning’s session at the Bitcoin Conference 2026 to announce Grid Global Accounts, a product he described as a dollar account that works everywhere, with the help of a new agreement with Visa that increases the possibility of using it in many countries around the world.
Marcus opened and fixed the problem on a large scale. About 400 billion emails flow through the Internet every day, and consumers rely on a handful of platforms like Gmail to handle that volume. The global payment system moves 10 billion transactions a day, but it still has no equal share, Marcus said.
Marcus said no payment system works anywhere without friction, and every dollar a business sends across borders is subject to delays, foreign exchange fees, and fees, leaving recipients waiting for money they already earned.
He identified a number of structural changes that made the period distinct. Marcus pointed out how regulations have changed, with governments in major markets moving from vague guidance to more stable digital systems, stablecoins, and border payments.
He pointed out how wallets have changed, where consumers now have digital information and payment information in apps that can connect to any authorized network. Lightspark built Spark on top of Bitcoin, using the network as a global neutrality that can move value between any two connected entities.
Lightspark introduces Grid Global Accounts
Marcus also launched Grid Global Accounts, which will sit on top of Lightspark Grid, the company’s global account management platform. Marcus said the accounts use a single wallet address that supports both dollars and Bitcoin, so one account can go through multiple payment methods depending on the service’s needs.
In short, it’s an API platform that allows apps to become a global financial hub without requiring a bank license, offering USD-identified accounts supported by stablecoins, Visa credit cards, payments to 65+ countries and 14,000 banks, instant Bitcoin conversion, and AI-powered account management – where Lightspark, compliance, manages KYs. The Lightning Network integration is the latest SoFi remittance deal.
Marcus showed off the app’s interface during the session to show that the experience feels like a simple consumer wallet, even though it pays for Bitcoin, stablecoins, and fiat on the ground.
The Visa Agreement gives Grid Global Account holders access to a network of Visa merchants in many countries, so a person receiving money in their account can use it anywhere or move the money to their own account.
Marcus also mentioned artificial intelligence as the next level at the top of the product. He added that the app will use an AI communication system to complete payments through natural languages, and that AI assistants will be able to handle and spend money on behalf of the user.
