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A Comprehensive Survey of Lightning Network Technology and Research

Author

Listed:
  • Changhoon Kang
  • Jongsoo Woo
  • James Won‐Ki Hong

Abstract

Bitcoin is the first decentralized digital currency built upon blockchain technology and has facilitated financial innovation and technological advancement. However, the growth in its popularity has uncovered the limitations of the blockchain technology, leading to issues such as transaction congestion, high transaction fees, and delayed confirmations. This has motivated the exploration of the Lightning Network, a payment channel network designed to enhance Bitcoin's scalability and transaction efficiency. Serving as a layer‐2 protocol, the Lightning Network supports off‐chain transactions, significantly reducing fees and enabling swift and cost‐effective micro payments. This paper comprehensively examines the technology, open source implementations, and relevant research of the Bitcoin Lightning Network, covering key categories such as “network analysis,” “network security,” “payment routing,” “rebalancing,” and “network design and applications.” With the Lightning Network's increasing importance in the blockchain and financial domains, this survey provides a valuable resource for researchers seeking to explore this technology in greater depth.

Suggested Citation

  • Changhoon Kang & Jongsoo Woo & James Won‐Ki Hong, 2025. "A Comprehensive Survey of Lightning Network Technology and Research," International Journal of Network Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 35(5), September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:intnem:v:35:y:2025:i:5:n:e70023
    DOI: 10.1002/nem.70023
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paolo Guasoni & Gur Huberman & Clara Shikhelman, 2024. "Lightning Network Economics: Channels," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 70(6), pages 3827-3840, June.
    2. István András Seres & László Gulyás & Dániel A. Nagy & Péter Burcsi, 2020. "Topological Analysis of Bitcoin’s Lightning Network," Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, in: Panos Pardalos & Ilias Kotsireas & Yike Guo & William Knottenbelt (ed.), Mathematical Research for Blockchain Economy, pages 1-12, Springer.
    3. Divakaruni, Anantha & Zimmerman, Peter, 2023. "The Lightning Network: Turning Bitcoin into money," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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