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Topic 05

Bitcoin payments and the Lightning Network

Sending, receiving and scaling payments beyond the base layer.

What you will learn

Bitcoin payments involve addresses, fees, confirmations, and sometimes a second layer. Follow the base-layer sending checklist first, then learn how Lightning channels exchange speed and small-payment efficiency for new liquidity and backup responsibilities.

By the end, you can

  • Choose an address and fee rate carefully
  • Explain confirmation and replacement behavior
  • Understand channels, liquidity, and Lightning custody

Guides in this topic

Follow the lessons in order, or open the question you need now.

01
Intermediate · 12 min

The Lightning Network

How payment channels enable fast bitcoin transfers and which liquidity tradeoffs they introduce.

  • Lightning batches many state updates into fewer on-chain transactions.
  • Payments can route without trusting intermediaries with the funds.
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02
Beginner · 12 min

How to Send Bitcoin Safely

A verification-first checklist for on-chain and Lightning payments.

  • Confirm whether the request is on-chain or Lightning.
  • Check destination details on a trusted screen.
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03
Intermediate · 12 min

Bitcoin Transaction Fees

What you pay for, how fee rates work and when waiting or batching can reduce cost.

  • Fees follow transaction weight and demand, not payment value.
  • Estimates are probabilistic.
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04
Beginner · 12 min

Bitcoin Addresses and QR Codes

Formats, network checks, address reuse and the verification habits that prevent costly mistakes.

  • Addresses are payment instructions, not identities.
  • Always confirm the network and full destination.
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