[2018-12-14] RSK & Lightning Network Are the Next Evolution of Bitcoin

Bitcoin Garden: RSK & Lightning Network Are the Next Evolution of Bitcoin
https://bitcoingarden.org/rsk-lightning-network-are-the-next-evolution-of-bitcoin/

Bitcoin recently celebrated its tenth birthday, a full decade since Satoshi Nakamoto published the inaugural whitepaper that would launch cryptocurrencies and blockchain to the unsuspecting public. Despite its initial status as a proof of concept, Bitcoin remains the distinguished granddaddy of all cryptos.

Even in the depths of a bear market, no other cryptocurrency has yet managed to out-price it in value or market cap. It’s still the jumping off point for most newcomers to the world of crypto. It’s weathered exchange hacks, Silk Road, and too many hard forks to count—but Bitcoin soldiers on regardless.

Of course, Bitcoin has its critics. High-profile figures including JP Morgan’s Jamie Dimon, Warren Buffett, and global economist Nouriel Roubini have all been quick to condemn cryptocurrencies. But Bitcoin’s critics don’t just exist outside the crypto sphere.

Even among the crypto and blockchain communities, detractors have pointed to Bitcoin’s slow transaction speeds, high fees, and increasing dependence on centralized mining pools. To some, for a time, “The Flippening,” an as-yet-hypothetical event where Ethereum’s market cap overtakes Bitcoin, seemed almost inevitable.

Bitcoin’s hardcore supporters, miners, and investors don’t care about any of this. The Bitcoin blockchain keeps moving relentlessly forward regardless of any criticism....