What are some misconceptions about the Lightning Network? How does the onion-routing work? How does channel funding work? Are there any security or legal risks to running a Lightning node? How far is the development so far in making this technology user-friendly? This is not a choice between on-chain and off-chain. A large portion of transaction volume has already been conducted off-chain (i.e. within the private databases of exchanges) for years; what second-layer solutions like the Lightning Network do is to allow for similar low-cost activity without sacrificing most of the security model and trustless nature of Bitcoin. Decentralisation is not a Boolean value, it is a range. The Lightning Network is not only about payment channels, there is also routing between the payment channels of others. You do not need to open a channel with every party you want to transact with. If a merchant does open a channel, they do not have to close the channel in order to be paid. LN Development Resources: http://dev.lightning.community/ LND Desktop Wallet - https://github.com/lightninglabs/lightning-app ACINQ's Lightning implementation: https://github.com/ACINQ/eclair Blockstream's C-Lightning implementation: https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning Zap, another Lightning wallet: http://zap.jackmallers.com/ More on contributors: http://lightning.community/release/software/lnd/lightning/2017/01/10/lightning-network-daemon-alpha-release/ The first question is from the patron-only live Q&A which took place on December 16th 2017. The second question is from the patron-only live Q&A which took place on January 27th 2018. If you want early-access to talks and a chance to participate in the monthly live Q&As with Andreas, become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/aantonop RELATED: The Lightning Network [playlist] https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPQwGV1aLnTurL4wU_y3jOhBi9rrpsYyi Bitcoin, Lightning, and Streaming Money - https://youtu.be/gF_ZQ_eijPs Advanced Bitcoin Scripting: Part 1 - https://youtu.be/8FeAXjkmDcQ Advanced Bitcoin Scripting: Part 2 - https://youtu.be/pQbeBduVQ4I Decentralised exchanges and counterparty risk - https://youtu.be/hi_jaw0dT9M Scaling complex systems - https://youtu.be/dm9m1oQr6Ks MimbleWimble and Schnorr signatures - https://youtu.be/qloq75ekxv0 SegWit adoption - https://youtu.be/KCsTVTRk6I4 Andreas M. Antonopoulos is a technologist and serial entrepreneur who has become one of the most well-known and respected figures in bitcoin. Follow on Twitter: @aantonop https://twitter.com/aantonop Website: https://antonopoulos.com/ He is the author of two books: “Mastering Bitcoin,” published by O’Reilly Media and considered the best technical guide to bitcoin; “The Internet of Money,” a book about why bitcoin matters. THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-Money-collection-Andreas-Antonopoulos/dp/1537000454/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 [NEW] THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v2: https://www.amazon.com/Internet-Money-Andreas-M-Antonopoulos/dp/194791006X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 MASTERING BITCOIN: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Bitcoin-Unlocking-Digital-Cryptocurrencies/dp/1449374042 [NEW] MASTERING BITCOIN, 2nd Edition: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Bitcoin-Programming-Open-Blockchain/dp/1491954388 Subscribe to the channel to learn more about Bitcoin & open blockchains! Music: "Unbounded" by Orfan (https://www.facebook.com/Orfan/) Outro Graphics: Phneep (http://www.phneep.com/) Outro Art: Rock Barcellos (http://www.rockincomics.com.br/)