Privacy and Scalability of Lightning Network Lower Than Expected: Report

Researchers from cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX have suggested that the privacy and scalability benefits of Bitcoin's implementation of the Lightning Network are less than expected.

A report published by BitMEX on Jan. 11 illustrates the researchers' efforts to determine the growth of the Lightning Network by trying to extrapolate information about private payment channels from readily available data.

The team focused on non-cooperative channel closures and they suggest that - since the network started its activity - about 60,000 such transactions took place.

A non-cooperative channel closure happens when a Lightning Network node initiates the closure of a payment channel without directly communicating with the node that the channel is linked to.

Non-cooperative channel closures more prevalent than expected.

Non-cooperative channel closures are more easily tracked and recognized, and they have to be confirmed in blocks on the blockchain.

"The fact that non-cooperative closures are more common than many thought, means the privacy and scalability benefits of lightning are lower than many expected too. However, as users learn more about how to use the lightning network and lightning wallets improve, the prevalence of non-cooperative closures could fall."

The report notes that researchers initially expected to find 30,000 non-cooperative channel closures but instead discovered the aforementioned 60,000.

The report also explains that in some instances, non-cooperative channel closures see a party attempt to steal the funds, which is called a breach closure.

As Cointelegraph reported in early December 2019, a Redditor "Lost" four Bitcoins on the Lightning Network and later published advice based on his experience.