About the Course

The Lightning Network is a critical development in the cryptocurrency world, enabling fast, low-cost transactions among participating nodes. This course delves into the mechanisms behind the Lightning Network, its creation, and its potential impacts on the future of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

What You Will Learn

• 1. Understand what the Lightning Network is and how it operates as a layer-2 protocol on top of the Bitcoin network.
• 2. Appreciate the reason for the creation of the Lightning Network, particularly in the context of the scalability problem of Bitcoin.
• 3. Comprehend the mechanism of fast and low-cost transactions enabled by the Lightning Network, including the use of bidirectional payment channels.
• 4. Understand the role of on-chain and off-chain transactions, as well as the importance of cryptographic signatures and hash time-locked contracts.
• 5. Recognize the potential of the Lightning Network to significantly improve transaction speed and reduce transaction cost within the Bitcoin network.
• 6. Foresee the implications of the Lightning Network on the future of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.