Press Release

Custom Vending Introduces Bitcoin Lightning Payments for their OMNI® Series Vending Machines

Custom Vending today announced a new Bitcoin payment capability for its OMNI® Series vending machines, giving operators the ability to accept payments through the Bitcoin Lightning Network while maintaining a familiar automated retail experience.

September 8, 2026

riverArk.io integration brings fast Bitcoin transactions, optional
instant U.S. dollar settlement and chargeback-free payments to automated
retail

COLORADO SPRINGS, Co, Sept 8, 2026 — Custom Vending today announced a new Bitcoin payment capability for its OMNI® Series vending machines, giving operators the ability to accept payments through the Bitcoin Lightning Network while maintaining a familiar automated retail experience.

Powered by riverArk, the integration allows customers to purchase products by selecting Bitcoin at checkout and scanning a QR code with a compatible Lightning wallet like Strike or Cash App. Payments are confirmed within seconds, allowing the vending machine to complete the transaction and dispense the selected product.

The new capability is designed to make cryptocurrency payments practical for vending operators without requiring them to manage the complexity traditionally associated with accepting digital assets. By default, sales can settle in U.S. dollars to an operator's own merchant account. Operators can also elect to retain payments in bitcoin instead. RiverArk operates on a non-custodial basis and does not hold operator funds between the transaction and settlement.

"Bitcoin payments have been talked about for years, but adoption only matters when the technology becomes practical for everyday business," said Jeff Cramer, president of CustomVending.com. "With the OMNI® platform, we're taking something that has traditionally felt complex and turning it into a simple point-of-sale experience. The customer can pay with Bitcoin, the operator can receive U.S. dollars, and the machine handles the transaction in seconds. That is the kind of innovation we want to bring to automated retail."

A New Payment Option for Automated Retail

Custom Vending's OMNI® Series already combines touchscreen interfaces, cash and card compatibility, custom software, remote management, custom branding and specialized configurations for a range of automated retail applications. Bitcoin payments add another option without requiring operators to replace those existing methods or rebuild their operations. Current OMNI® owners can integrate the capability through an onboarding and configuration process.

The technology also offers operators an alternative to traditional card-based payment processing. Bitcoin Lightning transactions do not use traditional card-network interchange, and confirmed Lightning payments are final, eliminating the traditional chargeback mechanism after a product has been vended.

For businesses operating high-volume machines or larger vending fleets, Custom Vending said the addition creates another opportunity to evaluate transaction costs while expanding the types of payment consumers can use.

Designed for Operators and Their Fleets

Operators establish a riverArk account, connect their verified merchant business account and create API credentials that are integrated into their OMNI® machines. riverArk recommends assigning a separate API key to each machine, allowing transactions to be reported individually and credentials to be managed on a machine-by-machine basis.

Custom Vending handles machine-side configuration and support related to enabling Bitcoin payments, while riverArk supports operator accounts, API keys, transactions, settlement and reporting.

The company sees potential for Bitcoin enabled vending in technology forward environments including gyms and fitness centers, colleges and campuses, entertainment venues, trading card retail and other locations where businesses are seeking differentiated payment and customer experiences.

"This isn't about replacing cards or traditional payments," Cramer said. "It's about giving operators another way to sell and giving customers another way to pay. The future of vending is flexible, connected and built around more choice."

About Custom Vending

Custom Vending—part of the Remarc Vending LLC. family of brands—develops customizable automated retail solutions for businesses across a wide range of industries. Its OMNI® Series combines touchscreen technology, flexible product configurations, custom branding, software and payment technology to support applications ranging from food and beverages to merchandise, trading cards, frozen products and specialty retail.

For more information about Bitcoin-enabled vending machines, visit CustomVending.com or call 855-469-8363.

Media Contact:
Custom Vending
Colorado Springs, Colorado
855-469-8363
CustomVending.com