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What is the Lightning Network, and how does it work?
The Lightning Network is Bitcoin’s most successful second-layer solution, a protocol built to handle rapid, ultra-low-cost transactions without clogging the main blockchain.
By linking users through a mesh of bidirectional payment channels — essentially offchain smart contracts secured by the Bitcoin blockchain — it allows participants to send and receive funds instantly. The network settles only when a channel is closed, minimizing onchain…
