Could you elaborate on the 
Bitcoin Layer 2 Lightning Network and its operational mechanism? Specifically, I'm curious about how it aims to enhance Bitcoin's scalability and transaction speed while maintaining the core properties of the blockchain. What are the key principles behind its design, and how does it achieve its goals in a decentralized manner? I'd appreciate a concise yet thorough explanation of its inner workings and how it interfaces with the Bitcoin blockchain.
            
            
            
            
            
            
           
          
          
            7 answers
            
            
  
    
    Maria
    Wed Jul 17 2024
   
  
    By leveraging this network of channels, the scalability and speed of Bitcoin transactions have witnessed remarkable improvements. 
  
  
 
            
            
  
    
    Bianca
    Wed Jul 17 2024
   
  
    Traditionally, the Bitcoin network was limited to processing approximately 7-10 transactions per second. However, with the introduction of the Lightning Network, this limitation has been greatly alleviated.
  
  
 
            
            
  
    
    Raffaele
    Wed Jul 17 2024
   
  
    The Lightning Network boasts a throughput of up to 1 million transactions per second (TPS), which is a significant leap from the Bitcoin network's original capabilities.
  
  
 
            
            
  
    
    Alessandro
    Wed Jul 17 2024
   
  
    The integration of the Bitcoin Layer-2 Lightning Network into the existing Bitcoin ecosystem represents a significant enhancement in transaction capabilities. 
  
  
 
            
            
  
    
    Maria
    Wed Jul 17 2024
   
  
    This increase in throughput enables faster and more efficient transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain, making it more suitable for real-world applications and everyday use.