In a landmark move on January 3, Bitcoin technology company JAN3 launched AQUA wallet, a groundbreaking bitcoin and stablecoin wallet designed to revolutionize financial autonomy globally. The launch of AQUA not only targets Latin America and emerging markets but also aims to bridge financial inclusion gaps and empower billions worldwide.
According to Jan3’s official press release, AQUA stands out as more than just a conventional Bitcoin wallet; it symbolizes liberation and empowerment, especially for the unbanked population worldwide. The user-friendly interface of this bitcoin and stablecoin wallet facilitates seamless transactions, supporting Bitcoin, the Lightning Network, Tether’s USDT, and Liquid Network, and offering native asset swapping capabilities.
Aqua Wallet: Liquid Network Support
One of AQUA’s significant features is its support for the Liquid Network, making it one of the first wallets capable of storing various digital assets based on the Liquid sidechain, such as Bitcoin bonds and game currencies. This positions AQUA to dominate the global Bitcoin/Dollar wallet market, reaching an untapped audience.
JAN3’s CEO, Samson Mow, envisions AQUA as a catalyst for hyperbitcoinization, stating:
“Our long-term vision is a wallet that helps users ‘leapfrog’ banking, much like users in Africa skipped landlines and went straight to mobile. Our goal is for AQUA to be the spark that will help Bitcoin spread like wildfire throughout the developing world.”
Mow’s long-term vision for AQUA extends beyond being a wallet; it aims to open doors to a diverse set of financial possibilities, from everyday transactions to advanced offerings like debit cards, fiat on and off ramps, and even peer-to-peer lending.
Tailored for Latin America and Bitcoin maximalists worldwide, AQUA serves as a gateway to the financial system. The announcement reads:
“AQUA’s streamlined and simplified user interface makes it easy for them to send and receive USDt on Liquid, while also keeping them focused on the optionality of Bitcoin as a savings technology.”
Seamless Transition Between Lightning and Liquid
AQUA’s appeal extends to Bitcoin maximalists by offering a powerful interface to Layer 2 technologies like Lightning and Liquid. Through submarine swaps, this new project facilitates seamless transitions between the two networks, bypassing high fee-rate environments. This functionality allows Bitcoiners to batch their transactions in Layer 2 and swap to mainchain Bitcoin when fees are low.
According to the announcement, the new project fills a significant void by offering a non-custodial wallet with a streamlined Lightning experience, making it an ideal choice for introducing new users to the Bitcoin ecosystem. Mow highlights AQUA’s vision by stating:
“Our vision for AQUA is an easy, interoperable, and engaging Bitcoin wallet that caters to Latin America and the global south. Bitcoin offers a life of opportunity, enabling anyone to save by owning an asset that appreciates over time, even in an inflationary environment.”
In a significant stride towards expansion, JAN3 recently unveiled its financial division in early December. This division is dedicated to offering bespoke Bitcoin over-the-counter (OTC) services specifically tailored for nation-states and other sizable entities.
This strategic move, followed by the launch of AQUA, not only highlights JAN3’s commitment to growth but also emphasizes the increasing demand for institutional-grade Bitcoin solutions.
