What is the Lightning Network & bitcoin blockchain?
Could you elaborate on the Lightning Network and its relationship to the Bitcoin blockchain? I'm curious to understand how it functions as a second-layer solution and what advantages it brings to the Bitcoin ecosystem. Specifically, how does it aim to solve scalability issues while maintaining the decentralization and security of the underlying blockchain? Furthermore, could you explain the concept of payment channels and how they facilitate faster and cheaper transactions on the Lightning Network? Lastly, what are some of the challenges and limitations that the Lightning Network faces in its current state of development?
Will cursed inscriptions live forever on the bitcoin blockchain?
Could you elaborate on the potential implications of cursed inscriptions, colloquially referred to as "cursed tweets," residing indefinitely on the Bitcoin blockchain? Is this a mere novelty or does it pose a significant concern? How do these inscriptions, often containing malicious or inflammatory content, affect the integrity and trustworthiness of the blockchain technology? Do they have the potential to tarnish the reputation of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies? As a practitioner in the field of cryptocurrency and finance, what steps, if any, should be taken to address this phenomenon?