THE FEATURE How to Send Bitcoin on Lightning (Even If You Might Not Want To) It's like the early days of bitcoin all over again. Comprised of invite-only chat channels, alien terminology and warning signs at every turn, the nascent ecosystem springing up around Lightning Network, the scaling technology that could end up having the greatest impact yet on bitcoin's capacity, is to date, hopelessly difficult to operate. "Going to be blunt," one developer wrote, "if you don't know how to compile something, you probably will have a lot more struggles and a lot less coins." Simply put, Lightning in its current state is dangerous to interact with today. But given the network's big promises – instant transactions and fees that are next to nothing – risk isn't diminishing the appeal. Companies like Blockstream are already launching Lightning-powered stores that send stickers to bitcoin users who successfully pass funds across the network, while so-called "early Lightning adopters" are being celebrated online for their "bravery" on the blockchain. "Show the world that you were one the first people to use Lightning on mainnet for a legitimate purchase, if it works," Blockstream's website reads. It's a sentiment that, given the risks, has garnered criticism by some who feel it mistakenly encourages users to risk real money. That said, there are ways to contribute to the early network without putting your own funds at risk. Today, we offer our guide for early adopters who want to get their hands on the bleeding-edge tech before it's recommended. | 
0 Comments