Bitcoin's Lightning Network Capacity Reaches New Highs

According to PANews, the capacity of Bitcoin's Layer 2 Lightning Network has reached a record high, driven by widespread adoption and enhanced functionality across major cryptocurrency exchanges. Data from Bitcoin Visuals indicates that on Monday, the Lightning Network's capacity hit 5,606 BTC, surpassing the previous record set in March 2023. Analysis platform Amboss reported that on Tuesday, the capacity peaked at 5,637 BTC, valued at approximately $490 million. The data reveals a significant surge in Lightning Network capacity in November and December, following a year of decline. This increase is attributed to the addition of more Bitcoin to the network, resulting in faster and cheaper transactions. Currently, the number of Lightning Network nodes stands at 14,940, down from the peak of 20,700 in March 2022. Similarly, the number of channels between nodes is 48,678, also below the 2022 peak. While the amount of Bitcoin added to the Lightning Network is on the rise, usage measured by node and channel count has not necessarily increased correspondingly.