閃電網路：準備徹底改變全球互通性和金融交易

Lightspark 的 David Marcus 預測閃電網路 (LN) 將徹底改變金融交易，成為一個全球性的、可互通的結算層。儘管活躍的閃電網路通道有所下降，但網路的容量和節點保持穩定，顯示持續成長。 Marcus 的公司開發了 UMA 協議，支持法定貨幣和其他加密貨幣的閃電網路交易，進一步擴大了網路的潛力。

Lightning Network: Poised to Revolutionize Global Interoperability and Financial Transactions

閃電網路：可望徹底改變全球互通性和金融交易

The recent predictions surrounding the Lightning Network (LN), the primary second layer of Bitcoin, have ignited optimism within the cryptocurrency community. David Marcus, a seasoned industry veteran, has boldly declared that LN is poised to become the "neutral regulation level of interoperability" worldwide, connecting a vast array of financial systems and transcending geographical borders.

最近圍繞比特幣主要第二層閃電網路（LN）的預測點燃了加密貨幣社群的樂觀情緒。經驗豐富的行業資深人士戴維·馬庫斯 (David Marcus) 大膽宣稱，閃電網絡有望成為全球“互操作性的中立監管水平”，連接大量金融系統並超越地理邊界。

Marcus, known for his tenure as head of Facebook's crypto project and his subsequent leadership as CEO of Lightspark, presented his compelling vision at MicroStrategy's "Bitcoin for Corporations" conference. He envisions LN as a global, neutral, and perpetually active settlement layer that will seamlessly interconnect real-time payment systems across the world, encompassing both cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies.

Marcus 因擔任 Facebook 加密項目負責人以及隨後擔任 Lightspark 執行長而聞名，他在 MicroStrategy 的“企業比特幣”會議上展示了他引人注目的願景。他將閃電網路視為一個全球性、中立且永久活躍的結算層，將無縫互連世界各地的即時支付系統，包括加密貨幣和法定貨幣。

LN's inherent design, characterized by low-cost and near-instantaneous fund transfers, has positioned it as a formidable force in the financial landscape. Marcus firmly believes that "any company that needs to move money will end up using, directly or indirectly, LN" and, by extension, Bitcoin.

LN 的固有設計以低成本和近乎即時的資金轉移為特點，使其成為金融領域的一股強大力量。馬庫斯堅信，“任何需要轉移資金的公司最終都會直接或間接使用閃電網路”，進而使用比特幣。

While LN's primary foundation lies in Bitcoin, Marcus's company, Lightspark, has ingeniously developed a protocol called UMA (Universal Money Address). This groundbreaking protocol empowers LN to facilitate transactions in foreign exchange, enabling the seamless transfer of funds in various currencies.

雖然閃電網路的主要基礎是比特幣，但馬庫斯的公司 Lightspark 巧妙地開發了一種名為 UMA（通用貨幣地址）的協議。這項突破性的協議使 LN 能夠促進外匯交易，實現各種貨幣的資金無縫轉移。

The second layer of Bitcoin, where LN resides, is a realm of innovation where third parties can develop protocols and platforms solely based on Bitcoin. LN itself serves as a gateway, registering the opening and closing transactions of LN channels on the Bitcoin blockchain. However, all subsequent transactions occur privately and directly between senders and recipients, bypassing the public blockchain's constraints.

LN 所在的比特幣第二層是一個創新領域，第三方可以在其中開發僅基於比特幣的協議和平台。 LN 本身充當網關，在比特幣區塊鏈上註冊 LN 通道的開啟和關閉交易。然而，所有後續交易都是在發送者和接收者之間私下直接發生的，繞過了公共區塊鏈的限制。

This architecture grants developers the freedom to build on LN as they desire. UMA, in particular, stands as a protocol built upon LN, which in turn finds its foundation in Bitcoin. UMA cleverly integrates compliance information required by various jurisdictions, a feature absent in Bitcoin.

這種架構使開發人員可以根據自己的意願自由地在 LN 上進行建置。尤其是 UMA，它是一個基於 LN 的協議，而 LN 又以比特幣為基礎。 UMA 巧妙地整合了各個司法管轄區所需的合規訊息，這是比特幣所沒有的功能。

Marcus maintains that companies leveraging LN will gain a significant competitive advantage due to its swift, cost-effective transactions and the network's constant availability. LN's capabilities surpass the limitations of traditional payment channels, opening doors to enhanced efficiency and broader accessibility.

馬庫斯認為，利用閃電網路的公司將因其快速、經濟高效的交易和網路的持續可用性而獲得顯著的競爭優勢。 LN 的功能超越了傳統支付管道的局限性，為提高效率和更廣泛的可及性打開了大門。

Lightspark, Marcus's brainchild, is a leading force in the development of LN. Their mission is to establish an open protocol for internet-based money transactions, utilizing the transformative power of LN. Unlike centralized entities, LN operates on decentralized principles, rendering it immune to monopolistic control.

Lightspark 是 Marcus 的創意，也是閃電網路發展的主導力量。他們的使命是利用閃電網路的變革力量，為基於互聯網的貨幣交易建立一個開放協議。與中心化實體不同，閃電網路依照去中心化原則運作，使其不受壟斷控制。

Lightspark's ultimate aspiration is to empower global customers with frictionless internet payments and foster a more inclusive financial system that benefits all. Their collaboration with Coinbase, the prominent US crypto exchange, has already brought LN integration to fruition, showcasing the readiness of their technology for widespread adoption.

Lightspark 的最終願望是為全球客戶提供無摩擦的網路支付，並培育一個惠及所有人的更具包容性的金融體系。他們與美國著名加密貨幣交易所 Coinbase 的合作已經使閃電網路整合取得了成果，展示了他們的技術已做好廣泛採用的準備。

The natural progression of LN's expansion hinges on the widespread acceptance of UMA. While Coinbase currently limits its LN implementation to BTC, companies around the world inevitably require the ability to manage transactions in fiat currencies or other cryptocurrencies, particularly stablecoins.

LN 擴張的自然進程取決於 UMA 的廣泛接受。雖然 Coinbase 目前將其 LN 實施限制為 BTC，但世界各地的公司不可避免地需要能夠管理法定貨幣或其他加密貨幣（尤其是穩定幣）的交易。

Despite the promising outlook, the adoption of LN has recently encountered a setback. The number of active LN channels has experienced a decline since January 2023, reaching approximately 57,000 units. This downturn coincides with the onset of the bear market, which has slowed the growth of the cryptocurrency industry as a whole.

儘管前景光明，閃電網路的採用最近卻遇到了挫折。自 2023 年 1 月以來，活躍的 LN 頻道數量經歷了下降，達到約 57,000 個。這次低迷恰逢熊市的開始，熊市減緩了整個加密貨幣產業的成長。

However, the number of nodes, the software responsible for managing and validating LN transactions, has remained relatively stable for the past two years. This indicates a sustained commitment from network operators, despite the fluctuating number of users.

然而，節點數量、負責管理和驗證閃電網路交易的軟體在過去兩年中保持相對穩定。儘管用戶數量有所波動，這表明網路營運商的持續承諾。

The capacity of the LN network, measured in BTC, peaked in March 2023 at nearly 5,500 BTC before dipping below 4,600 BTC in March 2024. This metric gauges the amount of BTC available for exchange on LN. To participate in LN transactions, users must first transfer BTC to LN wallets, emphasizing the significance of network capacity.

LN 網路的容量（以 BTC 計算）在 2023 年 3 月達到峰值，接近 5,500 BTC，然後在 2024 年 3 月降至 4,600 BTC 以下。要參與LN交易，用戶必須先將BTC轉移到LN錢包，強調網路容量的重要性。

In conclusion, the Lightning Network possesses the potential to revolutionize global financial transactions, enabling real-time interoperability, low-cost transfers, and accessibility to a wider range of currencies. David Marcus's visionary predictions and Lightspark's innovative efforts are propelling LN toward mainstream adoption, promising transformative benefits for businesses and individuals alike. While the road ahead may encounter temporary setbacks, the long-term prospects for LN remain undeniably bright, paving the way for a more interconnected and efficient global financial ecosystem.

總之，閃電網路擁有徹底改變全球金融交易的潛力，實現即時互通性、低成本轉移以及更廣泛的貨幣的可訪問性。 David Marcus 的富有遠見的預測和 Lightspark 的創新努力正在推動 LN 走向主流採用，為企業和個人帶來變革性的好處。儘管前進的道路可能會遇到暫時的挫折，但不可否認的是，閃電網路的長期前景仍然光明，為更互聯和高效的全球金融生態系統鋪平了道路。