In an inspiring example of Indian innovation reaching global scale, Speed has secured $8 million in strategic funding from Tether and ego death capital to revolutionize how the world moves money. Built by a talented engineering team in India, this payments infrastructure company is making international transactions faster, cheaper, and more accessible for everyone.

The company was founded by brothers Niraj and Jayneel Patel, who discovered their calling while running Orderhive, a successful e-commerce software platform that was later acquired. During that journey, they witnessed countless businesses struggling with slow payment settlements, high transaction fees, and complicated cross-border transfers. Rather than accept these limitations, the brothers saw an opportunity to build something better.

Their solution leverages the Bitcoin Lightning Network, a cutting-edge technology that enables instant settlement with minimal fees. What makes Speed's story particularly heartening is how quickly it has grown from a simple idea into a thriving global platform. Today, the company processes an impressive $2.5 billion in real-world payment volume and serves more than 1.2 million users worldwide, growing at over 100% year-on-year.

Speed's success extends beyond numbers. The platform has become a lifeline for merchants, creators, and digital platforms seeking seamless payment solutions. Their enterprise offering, Speed Merchant, allows businesses to accept Bitcoin and stablecoin payments with instant settlement and ultra-low fees, removing traditional barriers that have long hindered global commerce.

One of Speed's most celebrated achievements came through its partnership with Steak 'n Shake, which became one of the first national restaurant chains to embrace Lightning payments at scale. This collaboration demonstrated that innovative payment technology can work beautifully in demanding, high-volume retail environments, paving the way for broader adoption across industries.

Understanding that merchants need customers who can easily pay, Speed launched Speed Wallet, a consumer-friendly platform that enables instant transfers and global payouts. This thoughtful approach creates a complete payment ecosystem where both businesses and individuals benefit from faster, more affordable transactions.

A key innovation from Speed has been integrating stablecoins with Lightning technology, combining Bitcoin's speed and security with the price stability that everyday transactions require. This breakthrough has opened exciting new possibilities for e-commerce, gaming, creator economies, and gig workers worldwide.

The investment from Tether and ego death capital reflects strong confidence in Speed's vision and execution. Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, praised Speed for demonstrating what's possible when innovative technology meets practical application, while Preston Pysh of ego death capital celebrated the company for proving that transformative payment solutions can work today, not just in some distant future.

Looking ahead, Speed plans to expand its global infrastructure, enhance enterprise tools, and continue investing in compliance and reliability. For Niraj Patel, the funding validates their belief that better payment systems can empower people and businesses worldwide. His brother Jayneel emphasizes their readiness for the next chapter of growth.

Speed's journey exemplifies how Indian technical talent and entrepreneurial spirit are creating solutions that benefit the entire world, making financial services more inclusive and efficient for everyone.