Lightning Network
Bitcoin settles large transactions permanently and securely on-chain. The Lightning Network handles the everyday stuff — coffee, tips, streaming payments — instantly and for fractions of a cent.
The Basics
What is the Lightning Network?
“A second-layer protocol for instant, high-volume Bitcoin payments”
Bitcoin's base layer is intentionally slow and deliberate — every transaction is recorded permanently on thousands of nodes worldwide, confirmed roughly every 10 minutes. That's perfect for large settlements and final-value transfers, but impractical for buying a cup of coffee.
The Lightning Network solves this by allowing two parties to open a payment channel — a private ledger between them, secured by Bitcoin but settled off-chain. Payments through that channel are instant, nearly free, and don't need to be confirmed by the entire network. When the channel closes, only the final balance is recorded on the blockchain.
Channels connect to form a network, so you can pay anyone on Lightning without a direct channel — your payment routes automatically through intermediate peers.
Why It Matters
Bitcoin at the speed of life
Instant
Payments settle in milliseconds — faster than swiping a card.
Near-free
Typical fees are 1–2 satoshis — fractions of a cent regardless of amount.
Bitcoin-native
No new token, no new trust model. Lightning is Bitcoin.
More private
Lightning payments aren't recorded on the public blockchain.
Technical Deep Dive
How Lightning works
Open a channel
Two parties lock Bitcoin in a shared on-chain transaction, creating a payment channel. This is your Lightning "account" with that peer.
Send payments off-chain
Once the channel is open, both parties can send unlimited payments back and forth instantly. These transactions are NOT recorded on the blockchain — they only update the channel balance.
Payments route through the network
You don't need a direct channel with every person you pay. Payments automatically route through a network of connected peers — like how the internet routes data through multiple hops.
Close and settle on-chain
When you're done, closing the channel broadcasts the final balance to the Bitcoin blockchain. The base layer guarantees settlement — Lightning inherits Bitcoin's security.
Get Started
Choose your wallet
Start simple. Most people begin with a custodial wallet, learn the ropes, then graduate to a self-custodial option when they're ready to fully own their keys.
Wallet of Satoshi
iOS, Android
The simplest Lightning wallet available. Zero setup, instant payments, and a beautiful interface. Custodial — the company holds your funds — but perfect for learning before you go self-custodial.
Visit websiteStrike
iOS, Android, Web
Buy bitcoin and send Lightning payments with a bank-friendly interface. Great for onboarding friends and family. Also custodial — think of it as a Bitcoin-native Venmo for getting started.
Visit websitePhoenix
iOS, Android
Self-custodial Lightning with automatic channel management. You control your keys and your Bitcoin. Phoenix handles the complex channel infrastructure behind the scenes — the best balance of sovereignty and ease of use.
Visit websiteBreez
iOS, Android
Self-custodial Lightning wallet with built-in podcast streaming and a point-of-sale mode. Good for merchants who want to accept Lightning payments without running their own node.
Visit websiteAlby
Browser extension, Web
A browser extension wallet optimized for web payments and zaps on Nostr. Connect your own node or use their hosted wallet. Great for web-native Lightning use cases and tipping content creators.
Visit websiteZeus
iOS, Android
A full-featured Lightning wallet that connects to your own node (LND, CLN, or Eclair) or uses the embedded node. Complete control over your channels, fees, and routing. The choice for Bitcoiners running their own node.
Visit websiteKey Concept
Custodial vs. non-custodial
Custodial
The wallet provider holds your Bitcoin on your behalf. Easy to use — no channel management — but you're trusting a third party.
Examples
Wallet of Satoshi, Strike, Cash App
Non-custodial
You control the keys. Your Bitcoin is yours — no third party can freeze or confiscate it. Slightly more setup required.
Examples
Phoenix, Breez, Zeus, Alby Hub
Our recommendation
Start with Wallet of Satoshi to learn Lightning without friction. Once you understand how payments work and you're holding meaningful amounts, switch to Phoenix for full self-custody. Come to the meetup — we'll walk you through the setup.
Want to go deeper?
Our Lightning Network Workshop covers channel management, liquidity, privacy tradeoffs, and running your own node — in a hands-on format built for our monthly meetup.
Read the full presentation