BTC Markets

Bitcoin’s Scaling Mechanisms: The Lightning Network

BitOoda BTC Market Research, 8/1/23

Vivek Raman
Key Takeaway #1

Key Takeaway #2

Key Takeaway #3

Key Takeaway #4

As the summer doldrums continue for the crypto market, prices continue to be range-bound and volatility muted. However, several larger catalysts loom on the horizon. Most immediately, an SEC response to the proposed spot BTC ETFs (led by Blackrock and Fidelity) is likely to surface in August – this could spark volatility (in either direction, depending on signs of approval or rejection of the ETF). Additionally, the BTC halving inches closer.

While Bitcoin has distanced itself from the rest of the crypto pack – it is arguably the only crypto asset that is generally agreed to be a commodity – it has secured its place as a pristine store of value asset. Effectively, the ”clearest” pitch for Bitcoin is that it is a digital version of gold. However, despite being digital, BTC is relatively cumbersome for retail users to handle and transact with on a day-to-day basis, sparking a suite of scaling solutions.

This week, we will explore the most well-known BTC scaling network: the Lightning Network. We will see that BTC, similar to ETH, has an “L2-centric” scaling roadmap, and that there are a variety of innovative solutions being built on top of Bitcoin.

Lightning addresses the simplest and most accessible use case for BTC holders, the ability to have fast and cheap micropayments denominated in BTC, which is a precursor to wider adoption.

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As the summer doldrums continue for the crypto market, prices continue to be range-bound and volatility muted. However, several larger catalysts loom on the horizon. Most immediately, an SEC response to the proposed spot BTC ETFs (led by Blackrock and Fidelity) is likely to surface in August – this could spark volatility (in either direction, depending on signs of approval or rejection of the ETF). Additionally, the BTC halving inches closer.

While Bitcoin has distanced itself from the rest of the crypto pack – it is arguably the only crypto asset that is generally agreed to be a commodity – it has secured its place as a pristine store of value asset. Effectively, the ”clearest” pitch for Bitcoin is that it is a digital version of gold. However, despite being digital, BTC is relatively cumbersome for retail users to handle and transact with on a day-to-day basis, sparking a suite of scaling solutions.

This week, we will explore the most well-known BTC scaling network: the Lightning Network. We will see that BTC, similar to ETH, has an “L2-centric” scaling roadmap, and that there are a variety of innovative solutions being built on top of Bitcoin.

Lightning addresses the simplest and most accessible use case for BTC holders, the ability to have fast and cheap micropayments denominated in BTC, which is a precursor to wider adoption.

Figure: BTC Price
Source: Tradingview

Bitcoin’s Layer Two

  • The “modular” architecture, also known as “fractal scaling” or the “rollup-centric roadmap” in the Ethereum ecosystem, has long been explored for BTC as well. It is no secret that Bitcoin compromises on the “scalability trilemma” by sacrificing on throughput and transaction friction. Indeed, with each BTC block having a 10-minute block time, there is a limit to Bitcoin’s transaction capability (currently ~7 TPS).
  • While this TPS constraint is perfectly fine for a digital store of value asset that is not meant to be transferred often, it results in two shortcomings: (1) smaller denominations of BTC are potentially uneconomical to send/hold due to low throughput, and (2) the set of users that may want to use BTC for payments are unable to transact on-chain due to slow, cumbersome settlement times.
  • This is where off-chain execution comes into play in the BTC L2 roadmap, with Lightning Labs as one of the main contenders. Lightning moves BTC payments transactions off-chain to lower fees and increase speed.
Figure: Lightning Network Diagram
Source: https://bitpay.com/blog/what-is-the-lightning-network/

Payment Channels

  • So how exactly does Lightning move BTC payments off-chain? It does this by creating payment channels between two parties that want to transact.
  • To use Lightning, two parties open a payment channel by creating a multisig wallet and funding it with BTC. Opening a payment channel requires confirmation on the base BTC blockchain (higher fees).
  • Once the channel is open, the two parties can transact an unlimited amount of times off-chain, resulting in faster and cheaper transactions that can be done without requiring confirmation from the BTC network.
  • If the parties wish to close their payment channel, this requires another on-chain BTC transaction, which could require high fees.
  • There is a dispute resolution mechanism (much like an Optimistic rollup mechanism): if a party broadcasts a false transaction, the other party can take all the money in the channel using a “punishment transaction.”
Figure: Payment Channels
Source: https://blockgeeks.com/guides/lightning-network/

Lightning Statistics

  • Since the Lightning Network is its own Layer 2, Lightning requires similar infrastructure as underlying blockchains. Just like Bitcoin and Ethereum require a diverse set of full nodes, Lightning also needs its set of nodes to (1) open payment channels with other nodes, (2) route payments, and (3) close payment channels. These nodes also enforce good behavior on the network and keep the network decentralized.
  • It is therefore important to keep track of number of nodes in the Lightning ecosystem. The table below indicates the number of nodes, number of payment channels, and the change in nodes/channels.
  • Like all Layer 2 ecosystems, Lightning has positives and negatives. The positives: faster transactions, lower fees, and increased usability of BTC as a means of payment. Also, opening/closing payment channels requires settlement on BTC for security. Negatives: the need to maintain a large node set, which is a base requirements for all blockchain systems.
Figure: Lightning Network Statistics
Source: https://1ml.com/statistics

Disclosures

Purpose

This research is only for the clients of BitOoda. This research is not intended to constitute an offer, solicitation, or invitation for any securities and may not be distributed into jurisdictions where it is unlawful to do so. For additional disclosures and information, please contact a BitOoda representative at info@bitooda.io.

Analyst Certification

Vivek Raman, the research analyst denoted by an “AC” on the cover of this report, hereby certifies that all of the views expressed in this report accurately reflect his personal views, which have not been influenced by considerations of the firm’s business or client relationships.

Conflicts of Interest

This research contains the views, opinions, and recommendations of BitOoda. This report is intended for research and educational purposes only. We are not compensated in any way based upon any specific view or recommendation.

General Disclosures

Any information (“Information”) provided by BitOoda Holdings, Inc., BitOoda Digital, LLC, BitOoda Technologies, LLC or Ooda Commodities, LLC and its affiliated or related companies (collectively, “BitOoda”), either in this publication or document, in any other communication, or on or through http://www.bitooda.io/, including any information regarding proposed transactions or trading strategies, is for informational purposes only and is provided without charge.  BitOoda is not and does not act as a fiduciary or adviser, or in any similar capacity, in providing the Information, and the Information may not be relied upon as investment, financial, legal, tax, regulatory, or any other type of advice. The Information is being distributed as part of BitOoda’s sales and marketing efforts as an introducing broker and is incidental to its business as such. BitOoda seeks to earn execution fees when its clients execute transactions using its brokerage services.  BitOoda makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) regarding, nor shall it have any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, adequacy, timeliness or completeness of, the Information, and no representation is made or is to be implied that the Information will remain unchanged. BitOoda undertakes no duty to amend, correct, update, or otherwise supplement the Information.

The Information has not been prepared or tailored to address, and may not be suitable or appropriate for the particular financial needs, circumstances or requirements of any person, and it should not be the basis for making any investment or transaction decision.  The Information is not a recommendation to engage in any transaction.  The digital asset industry is subject to a range of inherent risks, including but not limited to: price volatility, limited liquidity, limited and incomplete information regarding certain instruments, products, or digital assets, and a still emerging and evolving regulatory environment.  The past performance of any instruments, products or digital assets addressed in the Information is not a guide to future performance, nor is it a reliable indicator of future results or performance. 

All derivatives brokerage is conducted by Ooda Commodities, LLC a member of NFA and subject to NFA’s regulatory oversight and examinations. However, you should be aware that NFA does not have regulatory oversight authority over underlying or spot virtual currency products or transactions or virtual currency exchanges, custodians or markets.

BitOoda Technologies, LLC is a member of FINRA.

“BitOoda”, “BitOoda Difficulty”, “BitOoda Hash”, “BitOoda Compute”, and the BitOoda logo are trademarks of BitOoda Holdings, Inc.

Copyright 2023 BitOoda Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reprinted, redistributed, or sold without prior written consent of BitOoda.

As the summer doldrums continue for the crypto market, prices continue to be range-bound and volatility muted. However, several larger catalysts loom on the horizon. Most immediately, an SEC response to the proposed spot BTC ETFs (led by Blackrock and Fidelity) is likely to surface in August – this could spark volatility (in either direction, depending on signs of approval or rejection of the ETF). Additionally, the BTC halving inches closer.

While Bitcoin has distanced itself from the rest of the crypto pack – it is arguably the only crypto asset that is generally agreed to be a commodity – it has secured its place as a pristine store of value asset. Effectively, the ”clearest” pitch for Bitcoin is that it is a digital version of gold. However, despite being digital, BTC is relatively cumbersome for retail users to handle and transact with on a day-to-day basis, sparking a suite of scaling solutions.

This week, we will explore the most well-known BTC scaling network: the Lightning Network. We will see that BTC, similar to ETH, has an “L2-centric” scaling roadmap, and that there are a variety of innovative solutions being built on top of Bitcoin.

Lightning addresses the simplest and most accessible use case for BTC holders, the ability to have fast and cheap micropayments denominated in BTC, which is a precursor to wider adoption.

Figure: BTC Price
Source: Tradingview

Bitcoin’s Layer Two

  • The “modular” architecture, also known as “fractal scaling” or the “rollup-centric roadmap” in the Ethereum ecosystem, has long been explored for BTC as well. It is no secret that Bitcoin compromises on the “scalability trilemma” by sacrificing on throughput and transaction friction. Indeed, with each BTC block having a 10-minute block time, there is a limit to Bitcoin’s transaction capability (currently ~7 TPS).
  • While this TPS constraint is perfectly fine for a digital store of value asset that is not meant to be transferred often, it results in two shortcomings: (1) smaller denominations of BTC are potentially uneconomical to send/hold due to low throughput, and (2) the set of users that may want to use BTC for payments are unable to transact on-chain due to slow, cumbersome settlement times.
  • This is where off-chain execution comes into play in the BTC L2 roadmap, with Lightning Labs as one of the main contenders. Lightning moves BTC payments transactions off-chain to lower fees and increase speed.
Figure: Lightning Network Diagram
Source: https://bitpay.com/blog/what-is-the-lightning-network/

Payment Channels

  • So how exactly does Lightning move BTC payments off-chain? It does this by creating payment channels between two parties that want to transact.
  • To use Lightning, two parties open a payment channel by creating a multisig wallet and funding it with BTC. Opening a payment channel requires confirmation on the base BTC blockchain (higher fees).
  • Once the channel is open, the two parties can transact an unlimited amount of times off-chain, resulting in faster and cheaper transactions that can be done without requiring confirmation from the BTC network.
  • If the parties wish to close their payment channel, this requires another on-chain BTC transaction, which could require high fees.
  • There is a dispute resolution mechanism (much like an Optimistic rollup mechanism): if a party broadcasts a false transaction, the other party can take all the money in the channel using a “punishment transaction.”
Figure: Payment Channels
Source: https://blockgeeks.com/guides/lightning-network/

Lightning Statistics

  • Since the Lightning Network is its own Layer 2, Lightning requires similar infrastructure as underlying blockchains. Just like Bitcoin and Ethereum require a diverse set of full nodes, Lightning also needs its set of nodes to (1) open payment channels with other nodes, (2) route payments, and (3) close payment channels. These nodes also enforce good behavior on the network and keep the network decentralized.
  • It is therefore important to keep track of number of nodes in the Lightning ecosystem. The table below indicates the number of nodes, number of payment channels, and the change in nodes/channels.
  • Like all Layer 2 ecosystems, Lightning has positives and negatives. The positives: faster transactions, lower fees, and increased usability of BTC as a means of payment. Also, opening/closing payment channels requires settlement on BTC for security. Negatives: the need to maintain a large node set, which is a base requirements for all blockchain systems.
Figure: Lightning Network Statistics
Source: https://1ml.com/statistics

Disclosures

Purpose

This research is only for the clients of BitOoda. This research is not intended to constitute an offer, solicitation, or invitation for any securities and may not be distributed into jurisdictions where it is unlawful to do so. For additional disclosures and information, please contact a BitOoda representative at info@bitooda.io.

Analyst Certification

Vivek Raman, the research analyst denoted by an “AC” on the cover of this report, hereby certifies that all of the views expressed in this report accurately reflect his personal views, which have not been influenced by considerations of the firm’s business or client relationships.

Conflicts of Interest

This research contains the views, opinions, and recommendations of BitOoda. This report is intended for research and educational purposes only. We are not compensated in any way based upon any specific view or recommendation.

General Disclosures

Any information (“Information”) provided by BitOoda Holdings, Inc., BitOoda Digital, LLC, BitOoda Technologies, LLC or Ooda Commodities, LLC and its affiliated or related companies (collectively, “BitOoda”), either in this publication or document, in any other communication, or on or through http://www.bitooda.io/, including any information regarding proposed transactions or trading strategies, is for informational purposes only and is provided without charge.  BitOoda is not and does not act as a fiduciary or adviser, or in any similar capacity, in providing the Information, and the Information may not be relied upon as investment, financial, legal, tax, regulatory, or any other type of advice. The Information is being distributed as part of BitOoda’s sales and marketing efforts as an introducing broker and is incidental to its business as such. BitOoda seeks to earn execution fees when its clients execute transactions using its brokerage services.  BitOoda makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) regarding, nor shall it have any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, adequacy, timeliness or completeness of, the Information, and no representation is made or is to be implied that the Information will remain unchanged. BitOoda undertakes no duty to amend, correct, update, or otherwise supplement the Information.

The Information has not been prepared or tailored to address, and may not be suitable or appropriate for the particular financial needs, circumstances or requirements of any person, and it should not be the basis for making any investment or transaction decision.  The Information is not a recommendation to engage in any transaction.  The digital asset industry is subject to a range of inherent risks, including but not limited to: price volatility, limited liquidity, limited and incomplete information regarding certain instruments, products, or digital assets, and a still emerging and evolving regulatory environment.  The past performance of any instruments, products or digital assets addressed in the Information is not a guide to future performance, nor is it a reliable indicator of future results or performance. 

All derivatives brokerage is conducted by Ooda Commodities, LLC a member of NFA and subject to NFA’s regulatory oversight and examinations. However, you should be aware that NFA does not have regulatory oversight authority over underlying or spot virtual currency products or transactions or virtual currency exchanges, custodians or markets.

BitOoda Technologies, LLC is a member of FINRA.

“BitOoda”, “BitOoda Difficulty”, “BitOoda Hash”, “BitOoda Compute”, and the BitOoda logo are trademarks of BitOoda Holdings, Inc.

Copyright 2023 BitOoda Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reprinted, redistributed, or sold without prior written consent of BitOoda.

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