In this release, Calypso customers finally got the Lightning network to send Bitcoin.

Main changes

Lightning network for Bitcoin.

In this release we will tell you about a new way to send the already established means of payment as Bitcoin, namely thanks to the Lightning network. The Lightning network works on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network level, where all transactions take place in an autonomous network built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. For this reason, the protocol is considered a Layer 2 solution and the Bitcoin blockchain itself is considered a Layer 1 solution.

The Lightning Network works by opening a bidirectional payment channel between two users. The bidirectional payment channel allows payments in both directions. Using payment channels, users can send or receive Bitcoin transactions locally and confidentially outside of the Bitcoin blockchain. Transactions between users take place through payment channels, and the registry is updated locally between participants. Unlike online transactions, miners do not need to mine blocks and broadcast them throughout the Bitcoin network.

If a bidirectional payment channel is not open between transacting parties, the payment can also be routed through the network. 

With this new way of sending Bitcoin, we solve many problems:

Speed: Settlement time on the Lightning Network is near-instant

Throughput: There is no theoretical limit to the number of payments per second that can occur in the Lightning Network as long as there are enough funds and a payment path.

Privacy: The details of individual Lightning Network payments are not publicly recorded on the blockchain

Low Fees: While Bitcoin transactions can be costly depending on the demand, transactions using the Lightning Network cost very little around one Satoshi, equivalent to a fraction of one cent making it ideal for everyday use.

In order for a merchant's client to send funds via Invoice he needs to copy the Lightning Invoice address and send the given amount to it.

Invoices search.

Also in this release there is a search function for UUID, ID, External ID and Description. This will allow users to quickly find the Invoice they are looking for, review payment status and product details.

Improved our features

Added localization of Payment widget and Payment link for payment Invoices in Kazakh, Spanish, Brazilian, Turkish, Indian, German.

Bug fixes

Fixed bugs in interaction with BTC, improved reliability and performance of nodes.