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Bitcoin infrastructure company Blockstream has made its Greenlight Lightning-as-a-Service (LaaS) solution available for global commercial use, starting Thursday.<\/p>\n
LaaS refers to a model where a provider like Blockstream offers a managed Lightning Network<\/a> infrastructure to developers and businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n Greenlight was first introduced<\/a> to developers in June as a concept where \u201cyour users hold their keys, while we take care of everything else.\u201d<\/p>\n The service allows developers to integrate Lightning payments into their applications using Blockstream\u2019s Application Programming Interface (API), eliminating the need to manage their own Lightning nodes, according to a blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n This removes the need for in-depth Lightning protocol knowledge or the complexities of setting up a node, Blockstream said.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, Coinbase<\/a> and Kraken<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alternatively, developers had to choose between custodial and non-custodial solutions, each with trade-offs in convenience, security and technical expertise.<\/p>\n Blockstream said Greenlight aims to provide a middle ground by removing the barriers associated with both options without compromising on security, performance or functionality.<\/p>\n \u201cBy 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,\u201d the company said in a statement.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n To promote adoption of non-custodial Lightning solutions, Blockstream said it provides a free Greenlight plan tailored for enthusiasts and small businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n This plan allows developers to create up to 1,000 on-demand nodes, with each node activating and staying operational as long as it\u2019s in use by an end-user.<\/p>\n For larger enterprises requiring higher capacities, Blockstream offers customized pricing packages that include increased node limits and assurances of uptime and availability.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss the next big story \u2013 join our\u00a0free daily newsletter<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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