Bitcoin News Update: Earn Passive Income While Surfing the Web as Lolli Purchases Slice

Lolli, a

rewards platform, has taken over Slice, a browser add-on that rewards users for passive online engagement, marking a major move toward unifying the scattered Bitcoin rewards landscape. This development, revealed by both companies, is intended to speed up the adoption of the Lightning Network—a Layer 2 protocol that facilitates quicker and more affordable Bitcoin transactions, as reported by . Earlier this year, Lolli itself was acquired by Thesis, a Bitcoin infrastructure company recognized for launching Fold, which later became publicly traded on Nasdaq.

By bringing Slice into Lolli’s ecosystem, users now have more ways to earn beyond just shopping online. Previously, Lolli users earned Bitcoin through purchases at affiliated merchants, but with Slice’s integration, they can now accumulate Bitcoin by simply browsing, viewing videos, or scrolling through social platforms. This transition from active to passive earning makes it easier for newcomers to get involved with cryptocurrency, especially those hesitant to invest directly, according to

.

A central motivation for the acquisition is to speed up Lightning Network support for withdrawals. This Layer 2 solution helps Bitcoin scale by allowing transactions to occur off-chain, which are then finalized on the main blockchain. For frequent, smaller rewards, this approach cuts down both costs and wait times compared to on-chain transfers. "Lightning enables small withdrawals to be cost-effective in ways that Layer-1 never could," Lolli’s team explained in a blog update. This strategy fits with the wider industry push to make Bitcoin suitable for daily transactions, such as micro-payments and direct transfers between users.

Yet, the collaboration between Lolli and Thesis has sparked some debate. Thesis recently faced criticism after adding Mezo, a Bitcoin sidechain compatible with EVM, as a withdrawal method. Some, including Bitcoin advocate Jason Don (Brekkie von Bitcoin), argued that the company failed to properly inform users about the withdrawal changes. "Apparently, we can still 'withdraw' our bitcoin, but now we must join a stablecoin walled garden to do so? Ridiculous," Don posted on X. In reply, Thesis founder Matt Luongo admitted the importance of offering on-chain withdrawal options, but stressed that the company is "beginning with L2s and sidechains" based on insights from Fold’s journey, as detailed by The Block.

This acquisition also reflects Thesis’s larger goal of bringing Bitcoin rewards platforms together. By merging services like Lolli and Slice, the company seeks to simplify the user journey and boost earning possibilities. Luongo shared that overhauling Lolli’s system after the acquisition has been a key focus, with the team gradually rolling out improved app versions to fix technical issues dating back to Lolli’s 2018 launch, according to The Block’s reporting.

Lolli, which secured $8 million in a Series B funding round in 2023 led by Bitkraft Ventures, has raised more than $28 million overall, according to The Block. While the financial terms of the Slice deal remain private, the merger positions the combined company to better compete in a fast-changing sector. Experts believe that combining passive earning features with Lightning Network’s scalability could drive wider adoption, especially as institutional interest in Bitcoin continues to rise.

As Slice’s new features are introduced, users should see more ways to earn Bitcoin in the near future. This partnership highlights a broader trend in crypto, moving from speculative trading toward practical use cases, making Bitcoin rewards increasingly available for everyday online activities.