比特幣的閃電網路：從炒作到衰退——批判性檢驗

儘管閃電網路最初承諾徹底改變比特幣的採用，但近年來卻面臨重大挫折。由於其支持者的過度宣傳，該網路經歷了容量下降、反覆出現的錯誤以及開發人員貢獻的大幅下降。結果，閃電網路未能實現成為比特幣擴容主要解決方案的雄心勃勃的目標。

The Rise and Fall of Bitcoin's Lightning Network: A Critical Examination

比特幣閃電網路的興衰：批判性檢視

Bitcoin's Lightning Network (LN), once heralded as the key to scaling Bitcoin adoption globally, has faced mounting challenges, leading to a decline in its usage and a growing chorus of skepticism from the Bitcoin community.

比特幣的閃電網路（LN）曾經被譽為擴大比特幣在全球範圍內採用的關鍵，但現在面臨越來越多的挑戰，導致其使用量下降，並且比特幣社群的質疑聲越來越大。

Diminishing Capacity and Rising Costs

產能減少和成本上升

The amount of Bitcoin available on LN has been steadily declining since late 2023, with the total capacity currently hovering around 4,700 Bitcoins. This represents a significant drop from the peak capacity of over 10,000 Bitcoins in 2021.

自 2023 年底以來，閃電網路上可用的比特幣數量一直在穩步下降，目前總容量徘徊在 4,700 個比特幣左右。這與 2021 年超過 10,000 個比特幣的峰值容量相比大幅下降。

Compounding this issue is the cost of using LN. To join the network, users must pay for a regular Bitcoin transaction on-chain, which can be prohibitively expensive during periods of high network traffic. Additionally, users must pay additional fees to receive more Bitcoin than their initial deposit, and again when closing a channel.

使用 LN 的成本使這個問題變得更加複雜。要加入網絡，用戶必須為鏈上的常規比特幣交易付費，這在網路流量高的時期可能會非常昂貴。此外，用戶必須支付額外費用才能收到比初始存款更多的比特幣，並且在關閉通道時還要支付額外費用。

Security Concerns and Technical Bugs

安全問題和技術錯誤

LN has also been plagued by a number of security vulnerabilities and technical bugs. In October 2023, developers disclosed a critical vulnerability known as "replacement cycling," which could potentially allow attackers to steal funds from Lightning channels. A subsequent vulnerability, referred to as "jamming," was discovered in November 2023.

LN 也受到許多安全漏洞和技術錯誤的困擾。 2023 年 10 月，開發人員披露了一個名為「替換循環」的嚴重漏洞，該漏洞可能允許攻擊者從閃電通道竊取資金。隨後的一個被稱為「幹擾」的漏洞於 2023 年 11 月被發現。

Furthermore, a bug in the popular Lightning software implementation LND led to a widespread freeze in Bitcoin transactions, trapping funds for several hours. These vulnerabilities and technical issues have shaken confidence in the network's stability and reliability.

此外，流行的閃電軟體實施 LND 中的一個錯誤導致比特幣交易大規模凍結，資金被困數小時。這些漏洞和技術問題動搖了人們對網路穩定性和可靠性的信心。

Developer Exodus and Community Skepticism

開發者流失和社區懷疑

Several prominent Lightning Network developers have abandoned the project in recent years, citing dissatisfaction with its progress and scalability. Notably, Tadge Dryja, one of the network's co-creators, has expressed doubts about its feasibility, while Joseph Poon, another co-founder, has ceased contributing to its development.

近年來，幾位著名的閃電網路開發商放棄了該項目，理由是對其進展和可擴展性不滿意。值得注意的是，該網絡的聯合創始人之一 Tadge Dryja 對其可行性表示懷疑，而另一位聯合創始人 Joseph Poon 已停止為其開發做出貢獻。

The Bitcoin community has also voiced concerns about LN's shortcomings. Matt Corallo, a senior Bitcoin developer, has labeled it a "joke" due to its inaccessibility to non-technical users. John Carvalho of Synonym has echoed these sentiments, stating that LN has failed to fulfill its promise of revolutionizing Bitcoin payments.

比特幣社群也表達了對 LN 缺點的擔憂。比特幣高級開發人員馬特·科拉洛 (Matt Corallo) 將其稱為“笑話”，因為非技術用戶無法理解它。 Synonym 的 John Carvalho 也回應了這些觀點，表示 LN 未能履行其徹底改變比特幣支付的承諾。

Custodial Solutions and Centralization

託管解決方案和集中化

In an attempt to address the high costs and complexity of LN, custodial Lightning providers have emerged, offering wallets that subsidize inbound capacity for new users. However, these solutions introduce a level of centralization that goes against the decentralized ethos of Bitcoin.

為了解決閃電網路的高成本和複雜性，託管閃電網路供應商應運而生，提供錢包來補貼新用戶的入站容量。然而，這些解決方案引入了一定程度的中心化，這與比特幣的去中心化精神背道而馳。

Declining Usage and Niche Applicability

使用率下降和利基適用性

As a result of these challenges, the usage of LN has plummeted in recent months. Despite its initial promise, the network has failed to become a viable solution for day-to-day Bitcoin transactions. Instead, it has become a niche tool primarily used by hobbyists and enthusiasts.

由於這些挑戰，近幾個月來閃電網路的使用量急劇下降。儘管最初做出了承諾，但該網路未能成為日常比特幣交易的可行解決方案。相反，它已成為主要由業餘愛好者和愛好者使用的利基工具。

Conclusion

結論

The Lightning Network has faced significant obstacles that have hindered its widespread adoption and scalability. Despite the initial excitement and hype surrounding it, LN has been plagued by declining capacity, rising costs, security concerns, technical bugs, developer departures, and community skepticism.

閃電網路面臨阻礙其廣泛採用和可擴展性的重大障礙。儘管最初圍繞著它的興奮和炒作，閃電網路一直受到容量下降、成本上升、安全問題、技術錯誤、開發人員離職和社區懷疑的困擾。

While LN remains an interesting use case for Bitcoin's smart contract capabilities, it is unlikely to become the global payment solution it was once envisioned to be. Its future remains uncertain, and it will require significant innovation and improvements to overcome its current limitations and regain the trust of the Bitcoin community.

雖然閃電網路仍然是比特幣智慧合約功能的一個有趣的用例，但它不太可能成為曾經設想的全球支付解決方案。它的未來仍然不確定，需要重大創新和改進才能克服其當前的限制並重新獲得比特幣社群的信任。