BTC Markets

BTC Scaling: Will Lightning Strike Twice?

BitOoda BTC Market Research, 8/8/23

Vivek Raman
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In last week’s report, we covered the high-level architecture of Bitcoin’s Lightning Network to dig deeper into BTC scaling technologies. Just after that report, Coinbase announced a push to modernize global payments, with a focus on the stablecoin USDC (primarily on Ethereum). This caused a stir from the BTC community, as the Lightning Network has been ready to scale for some time. Coinbase now plans to integrate Lightning payments.

We will therefore dive into additional details on Lightning, as well as the implications of Lightning being the payment rail for the BTC ecosystem via Coinbase. Lightning had somewhat of a “false start” when it was first announced, gaining very little traction in terms of users and payments. However, an institution like Coinbase could change the adoption trajectory, and it is worth a second look to see if Lightning can be revitalized and indeed strike twice!

More than just adoption and payment infrastructure, technology like Lightning is critical for the future of Bitcoin as it could present a new source of fee revenue from miners (to augment the block subsidy). Block rewards will be halving around April 2024, and the lost miner revenue will have to come from either BTC price appreciation or tertiary fees. Fees, which are the backbone of other ecosystems like Ethereum, present an upside case for BTC.

Figure: BTC Price
Source: Tradingview

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In last week’s report, we covered the high-level architecture of Bitcoin’s Lightning Network to dig deeper into BTC scaling technologies. Just after that report, Coinbase announced a push to modernize global payments, with a focus on the stablecoin USDC (primarily on Ethereum). This caused a stir from the BTC community, as the Lightning Network has been ready to scale for some time. Coinbase now plans to integrate Lightning payments.

We will therefore dive into additional details on Lightning, as well as the implications of Lightning being the payment rail for the BTC ecosystem via Coinbase. Lightning had somewhat of a “false start” when it was first announced, gaining very little traction in terms of users and payments. However, an institution like Coinbase could change the adoption trajectory, and it is worth a second look to see if Lightning can be revitalized and indeed strike twice!

More than just adoption and payment infrastructure, technology like Lightning is critical for the future of Bitcoin as it could present a new source of fee revenue from miners (to augment the block subsidy). Block rewards will be halving around April 2024, and the lost miner revenue will have to come from either BTC price appreciation or tertiary fees. Fees, which are the backbone of other ecosystems like Ethereum, present an upside case for BTC.

Figure: BTC Price
Source: Tradingview

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.

In last week’s report, we covered the high-level architecture of Bitcoin’s Lightning Network to dig deeper into BTC scaling technologies. Just after that report, Coinbase announced a push to modernize global payments, with a focus on the stablecoin USDC (primarily on Ethereum). This caused a stir from the BTC community, as the Lightning Network has been ready to scale for some time. Coinbase now plans to integrate Lightning payments.

We will therefore dive into additional details on Lightning, as well as the implications of Lightning being the payment rail for the BTC ecosystem via Coinbase. Lightning had somewhat of a “false start” when it was first announced, gaining very little traction in terms of users and payments. However, an institution like Coinbase could change the adoption trajectory, and it is worth a second look to see if Lightning can be revitalized and indeed strike twice!

More than just adoption and payment infrastructure, technology like Lightning is critical for the future of Bitcoin as it could present a new source of fee revenue from miners (to augment the block subsidy). Block rewards will be halving around April 2024, and the lost miner revenue will have to come from either BTC price appreciation or tertiary fees. Fees, which are the backbone of other ecosystems like Ethereum, present an upside case for BTC.

Figure: BTC Price
Source: Tradingview

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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