We're pleased to announce that Bitfinex has launched support for the Lightning Network! The Lightning Network is a decentralized system of smart contracts built as a second-layer of the Bitcoin blockchain, enabling custodian-free instant, high-volume micropayments across a network of participants. The Lightning Network creates a secure network of participants that can transact with each other directly, without having to broadcast everything on the Bitcoin blockchain. The second layer technology for Bitcoin uses the blockchain only for final settlement of funds, which happens when the payment channels are closed. The ... (full story)