Lightning Network Payment

Lightning Network is a second-layer protocol on Bitcoin enabling instant micropayments. Instead of waiting 10 minutes for a block (and paying $1-10 in fees), users open payment channels and settle instantly for cents. Two parties fund a channel, exchange signed updates (off-chain), and close when done. Channels form a network; routing enables payments between strangers. Use cases: retail POS (pay at checkout), content monetization (tips, micropayments), gaming in-game purchases.