Breez Wallet, a Lightning Network (LN)-focused wallet, has shown off an implementation that allows users to receive LN payments without being online. The service, which will be included in an upcoming non-custodial wallet app, uses the wallet’s own SDK using mobile notifications to receive this payment without requiring recipient intervention.
Breez presents solution for offline Lightning network payments
Breez, a Lightning Network (LN)-focused wallet, has showcased its solution to address the problem of offline payments in the protocol. Due to its internal workings, both parties to a transaction must be online when an LN payment occurs, which makes its use cumbersome for some applications.
However, Breez has used its software stack to develop a solution that allows these payments to be made even when the receiving party is offline. The organization showcased this solution in a post on
In an earlier post, Roy Sheinfeld, co-founder and CEO of Breez, explored the alternatives for solving the problem of offline payments in LN and described the alternatives that Breez uses. Sheinfeld explained that Breez has implemented push notifications in the latest SDK, which allows service providers to send messages to the app to receive payment without user intervention, automating the task.
Sheinfeld acknowledges that this solution will require work from the developers, as they will need to set up notification services for these messages. However, this provides a better user experience as the app does not need to be running in the background to receive payments.
Nevertheless, he also acknowledged the limitations of this solution, explaining that it relies on a notification service managed by a third party such as Apple or Google, and calling for alternatives to be implemented at the protocol level. He stated:
Mobile notifications are an improvement, but not a panacea. Of course, they only work on mobile devices, and this approach won’t work if the device is turned off or if the user has turned off required notifications.
What do you think of Breez’s offline LN payment solution? Tell us in the comments below.
