⚡We've added Lightning invoice decoder to Amboss Space! Invoice decoders deliver insights about payment requests that can come in the form of an invoice, an LNURL, or a Lightning Address. To demonstrate the insights you can derive, we've prepared a thread of wallet invoices! Starting simple, here an invoice from BitcoinJungleCR, a custodial lightning wallet:

Amboss Space

Amboss Space - Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools

Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools. Search for nodes and channels on the Lightning Network and get detailed information on them.

Similar setups include: zbd, walletofsatoshi , and Strike This is a BOLT11 invoice where it pays to a single node destination. Routing Node Operators will use the Payee Pubkey information to discover new nodes to connect to so that the network can have a variety of routes to pay BTC Jungle CR reliably.

Amboss Space

BitcoinJungleCR - 03797d...f86960 - Amboss Space

BitcoinJungleCR - 03797da684da0b6de8a813f9d7ebb0412c5d7504619b3fa5255861b991a7f86960 - 61 channels - capacity 836,856,162 sats - Bitcoin Mainnet - ...

Next up in complexity, a BOLT11 invoice from @Breez_Tech, a self-custodial lightning wallet:

Amboss Space

Amboss Space - Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools

Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools. Search for nodes and channels on the Lightning Network and get detailed information on them.

If you check the Payee Pubkey of the Breez invoice, you'll reach a page that says "Unable to find this node". This isn't a error; this reveals that @Breez_Tech is using "private" node destinations. To help the lightning payment reach the destination, it will require Route Hints! In the Routing Info is a Pubkey, revealing a well-connected 28 BTC capacity node that will convey the payment to the "private" node destination.

Amboss Space

031015a7839468a3c - 031015...9836e0 - Amboss Space

031015a7839468a3c - 031015a7839468a3c266d662d5bb21ea4cea24226936e2864a7ca4f2c3939836e0 - 157 channels - capacity 2,807,838,305 sats - Bitcoin Mainn...

Services with similar setups include: MuunWallet (uses a swap service), ElectrumWallet (yes they do lightning!) "Private node" here only means unannounced to the network (like not listed in the phone book), not a guarantee of privacy. There are many reasons to use private nodes in practice and most of them are operational: load balancing, payment reliability, failover protection, etc. Even more complex, we have @CashApp invoices, which include 2 separate paths to reach a private node destination.

Amboss Space

Amboss Space - Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools

Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools. Search for nodes and channels on the Lightning Network and get detailed information on them.

Instead of only one potential path to pay, there are now two which can be attempted. This allows one of the public nodes to undergo maintenance while the other remains online to ensure higher payment reliability. Makes sense when you have 50 million potential users! Okay now it gets crazy complex: @fedibtc Bravo includes not only two separate routing paths, but there are multiple hops in the second path!

Amboss Space

Amboss Space - Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools

Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools. Search for nodes and channels on the Lightning Network and get detailed information on them.

Look how long the invoice string is! That is a lot of data to pack into an invoice, which can also make the invoices more difficult to scan as QR codes or be unable to fit into a tweet! Setups like this one are fascinating, but each decision is a tradeoff. In the 2-hop path, the first stop is @LQWDTech followed by "Henwen 🐷", which was also used in the 1-hop path. This must make Henwen one of the "Gateways" into the ecash Federation.

Amboss Space

LQwD-Canada - 036491...4907e1 - Amboss Space

LQwD-Canada - 0364913d18a19c671bb36dd04d6ad5be0fe8f2894314c36a9db3f03c2d414907e1 - 514 channels - capacity 2,450,239,450 sats - Bitcoin Mainnet - A...

Amboss Space

Henwen 🐷 - 02f0c7...852640 - Amboss Space

Henwen 🐷 - 02f0c7b731ca40a285d7c12aa1c5c7c7caa4598d3d6d34904c3714cd0d47852640 - 46 channels - capacity 483,482,963 sats - Bitcoin Mainnet - Ambo...

Mind blower time. Let's talk about @AquaBitcoin invoices.

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Amboss Space - Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools

Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools. Search for nodes and channels on the Lightning Network and get detailed information on them.

Aqua invoices only include a single route hint, but the route hint is to a private node! The payee pubkey is a public node, @Boltzhq, which swaps between the @lightning network and @Liquid_BTC. Boltz is using "magic routing hints" allowing Liquid to Liquid payments within LN. https://docs.boltz.exchange/v/api/magic-routing-hints We hope you learned a lot from this thread! What else would you like to know about invoices? What other insights can you gain from this tool?

NEW ATH FOR LIGHTNING NETWORK! This makes lightning a more powerful and scalable settlement layer for #bitcoin. Two factors have driven the Lightning Capacity higher: 1. Bitcoin-denominated growth in lightning infrastructure 2. Rising exchange value of bitcoin in USD terms

Payment reliability is the most important metric for the Lightning Network as a payment system. We teamed up with @HelloStillmark to deliver research that leverages machine learning to bring enterprise payment reliability to the Lightning Network. Our New Research: "Channel Balance Interpolation in the Lightning Network via Machine Learning" decimates the tired and risky approach of probing to find a reliable payment route. Combining crowdsourced data and machine learning means reliable payments on LN with less spam. We're applying this methodology to a new pathfinding-as-a-service feature that is showing extremely promising early results. We're looking for exchanges, rewards programs, or play-to-earn with high outbound payment volume to put our pathfinding service to a real-world test. To learn more about our research or to join us as part of our payment operations solution, be sure to visit:

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Intelligent payment infrastructure built on Bitcoin: designed for real-time, low-cost transactions that scale effortlessly, empowering next-gen dig...

This research would not be possible without our collaborators: @HelloStillmark @vsingh_5 @emaros96 And peer reviewers: @renepickhardt Dr. Christian Kummerle @alexbosworth

Sup guys

Want to learn more about how Reflex supports payment operations? Here's BitcoinBufo describing the configurable rules engine that Reflex delivers. youtu.be/G4CpeLm6eGc You can also experience it for yourself at RPO.dev!

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Intelligent payment infrastructure built on Bitcoin: designed for real-time, low-cost transactions that scale effortlessly, empowering next-gen dig...

To manage your lightning node, you need to maintain liquidity from the rest of the network. The easiest way to achieve that is with Hydro, which will automatically provision liquidity by paying the lowest market rate for liquidity. https://amboss.space/hydro

The LINER (Lightning Network Rate) has two sides: liquidity buyers and liquidity sellers. Liquidity buyers are leasing swap space for payments. Since transaction fees have risen, the cost of capital for that swap space has risen. This is tracked as the LINER Cost. 🧵 Lightning channels are reusable payments infrastructure, gaining efficiency with each lightning payment versus on-chain Bitcoin transactions or traditional card payments. The swap space required is the monthly *NET* payment inflows. Any payments made from a lightning business reduce the swap space required. Lightning is therefore ideally suited for low margin businesses where payment processing costs are large relative to profit margins. Lightning Network becomes a competitive edge for the pioneers of better payments.

Lightning network capacity is trending upwards again in #bitcoin terms while holding steady in USD terms. With exchange volumes expecting growth, are exchanges prepared for a high fee environment with a #lightningnetwork strategy?

Lightning nodes are resuming growth following the halving and recent news events. There's a growing desire to build self-sovereign infrastructure and systems that respect privacy. #lightningnetwork

Binance lightning node capacity is teleporting higher.

We're seeing fear ripple through the BTC and LN ecosystem after the recent US enforcement action. The chilling effect is devastating to US innovation and the network effect of better payments technology. The best counter to fear is taking a risk management approach. It's vital to protect businesses and builders of this innovation. Let's figure out the path forward and protect better payments technology in the US.

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Intelligent payment infrastructure built on Bitcoin: designed for real-time, low-cost transactions that scale effortlessly, empowering next-gen dig...

Sending money around the world is extremely easy thanks to bitcoin and lightning. How can a business best protect their operations amidst regulatory crackdowns? Simple risk management. Taking proactive steps now to reduce risk pays dividends with documented efforts.

Buying lightning channels typically stops completely during high fee spikes, as visualized in Magma channel sales: Lightning is perfect to avoid these events with existing channels. Sustained high fees, however, drive channel purchases. Why do a single use transaction when you can make a reusable channel txn? ## Need liquidity to your node? Use Hydro. https://amboss.space/hydro ## Want to become an LSP by selling channels? Use Magma.

Amboss Space

Amboss Space - Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools

Lightning Network Explorer and Analytics Tools. Search for nodes and channels on the Lightning Network and get detailed information on them.

For regulated Money Service businesses, having an effective AML program is essential. We've learned that existing solutions are: 1) too expensive 2) too invasive 3) ineffective for lightning To prove it can be better, we're launching a free trial of our continuous monitoring.

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Intelligent payment infrastructure built on Bitcoin: designed for real-time, low-cost transactions that scale effortlessly, empowering next-gen dig...

Is this for every node on the lightning network? Absolutely not. Running bitcoin infrastructure is freedom in finance. Running a Money Service Business is specific, regulated activity that operates within a jurisdiction and must abide by AML laws as well as OFAC. For other businesses that send payments, bitcoin is digital cash of the future that's primed to help businesses grow: it's like hooking your business up to the internet. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop wild accusations of terrorist finance occurring in bitcoin. The early days of the internet scared regulators into thinking it's only for drug dealers and pornographers. The reality is much different: the internet is for cat videos. The future of finance shouldn't get bogged down by naive accusations of terrorism and money laundering. Instead, bitcoin businesses need our support to show that commerce can happen on better financial rails with bitcoin. It's not money for criminals; it's money for humanity. What's needed for businesses is a consistent program that demonstrates precautions against funding terrorists and money launderers. That doesn't need to be expensive or invasive. We'll prove it with a 14 day trial of continuous risk monitoring.

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Intelligent payment infrastructure built on Bitcoin: designed for real-time, low-cost transactions that scale effortlessly, empowering next-gen dig...

In a daily email, your business will receive actionable steps to avoid: * OFAC Risks, * Ransomware, * Sanctions violations This is part of a comprehensive program to secure your lightning operations against risks, and minimize the attack surface for unhinged accusations. To find out more about our Reflex Payment Operations suite for businesses, visit

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Amboss Technologies, Inc.

Intelligent payment infrastructure built on Bitcoin: designed for real-time, low-cost transactions that scale effortlessly, empowering next-gen dig...

. #bitcoin #complaince #AML #riskmanagement #crypto #defi #sanctions

Following Bitcoin's fourth halving, bitcoin mining pools will be looking for ways to improve experiences for miners in their pool. That means lower payout thresholds and shorter waiting times by integrating payouts on the Lightning Network. https://www.theblock.co/post/289875/bitcoin-ushers-in-fourth-halving-as-miners-block-subsidy-reward-drops-to-3-125-btc

The commerce will continue on lightning until morale improves. #memes #funny

We're fine, right?

What impacts will the halving have on the Lightning Network?

Cryptonews

Lightning Network Empowers Small Bitcoin Miners Pre-Halving

The Lightning Network benefits small-scale Bitcoin miners pre-halving. Here's how it enables instant, low-cost payouts.

This Bull Run hinges on Exchange UX. 🧵🔽 The role of exchanges is expanding beyond transactions. 🚪They are the front door for millions of potential new users. ⛔ But, increased users = higher fees & congestion, impacting user experience. _____ Bitcoin OGs may be used to bitcoin transaction speed, but it’s UNACCEPTABLE UX for new users. 💨faster, cheaper, transactions = better first impression of the crypto ecosystem. ⚡Lightning Network has a huge part to play _____ The Lightning ecosystem is stronger than ever, a number of builders (like @amboss) are creating tools that support: 🔨Payment operations, 🔨Automation 🔨Compliance _____ No one has more to gain in this cycle than exchanges– but the work is just beginning. ₿ It’s easier than ever before to integrate LN into existing products in ways that make BTC more accessible, efficient, and enterprise-friendly. _____ 🔗 Read the full op-ed from @jesse at @securitiesio. https://www.securities.io/lightning-gives-exchanges-the-upper-hand-this-bull-cycle/

It's critical to disrupt financial flows with privacy-preserving technology like the Lightning Network and Chaumian e-cash. Traditional payment systems are honeypots for surveillance capitalism that embed personally identifiable information. Lightning Network is built different.