Blockstream’s new service aims to make Lightning integration a breeze

Bitcoin infrastructure company Blockstream has made its Greenlight Lightning-as-a-Service (LaaS) solution available for global commercial use, starting Thursday.

LaaS refers to a model where a provider like Blockstream offers a managed Lightning Network infrastructure to developers and businesses. 

Greenlight was first introduced to developers in June as a concept where “your users hold their keys, while we take care of everything else.”

The service allows developers to integrate Lightning payments into their applications using Blockstream’s Application Programming Interface (API), eliminating the need to manage their own Lightning nodes, according to a blog.

This removes the need for in-depth Lightning protocol knowledge or the complexities of setting up a node, Blockstream said.

The Lightning Network itself acts as a layer-2 scalability solution atop the Bitcoin blockchain, enabling rapid and low-cost BTC transactions for users. Notable exchanges have already implemented Lightning payments, including Binance, Coinbase and Kraken.

Alternatively, developers had to choose between custodial and non-custodial solutions, each with trade-offs in convenience, security and technical expertise.

Blockstream said Greenlight aims to provide a middle ground by removing the barriers associated with both options without compromising on security, performance or functionality.

“By offloading labor-intensive node operations to Blockstream and integrating Greenlight with just a few API calls, companies can save on costs and free up valuable time to focus on meeting the needs of their users,” the company said in a statement.

Going the non-custodial route means developers can avoid the burden of securing user funds and dealing with regulatory costs and compliance requirements, it added.

To promote adoption of non-custodial Lightning solutions, Blockstream said it provides a free Greenlight plan tailored for enthusiasts and small businesses. 

This plan allows developers to create up to 1,000 on-demand nodes, with each node activating and staying operational as long as it’s in use by an end-user.

For larger enterprises requiring higher capacities, Blockstream offers customized pricing packages that include increased node limits and assurances of uptime and availability.

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