A Lightning Address is a human-readable identifier that simplifies receiving Bitcoin payments over the Lightning Network. It functions similarly to an email address, enabling users to send Bitcoin without needing to exchange complex invoice codes. The process generally involves linking a Lightning Network wallet to a service that provides the address. Electrum, a popular Bitcoin wallet, requires integration with a third-party service to accomplish this since it does not natively support Lightning Address creation.
The adoption of Lightning Addresses streamlines the user experience, promoting wider acceptance of Bitcoin for everyday transactions. By abstracting away the technical complexities of Lightning Network invoices, it lowers the barrier to entry for new users. Historically, Bitcoin transactions required careful handling of long, alphanumeric strings. Lightning Addresses represent a significant step towards making cryptocurrency payments more accessible and user-friendly.
