David Marcus, who was known for heading crypto and digital finance operations of Meta (formerly Facebook), has unveiled his new startup, Lightspark.
The company will focus on building use cases for Bitcoin. It will use the Lightning Network
Lightning Network
The Lightning Network is a second-layer payment protocol that operates on top of a blockchain-based cryptocurrency. It enables fast transactions among participating nodes and has been touted as a solution to the Bitcoin scalability problem.This framework features a peer-to-peer (P2P) system for making micropayments of cryptocurrency via a network of bidirectional payment channels without delegating custody of funds.Transactions on the Lightning Network are only added to the blockchain when the two parties that are involved in a payment channel open or close the channel. Therefore, multiple transactions can be sent within a single channel without requiring the consensus of the entire blockchain, making the transaction process considerably faster. Normalized use of the Lightning Network involves the opening of a payment channel by committing a funding transaction to the relevant base blockchain or first layer. This in turn is followed by making any number of Lightning transactions that update the distribution of the channel’s funds without broadcasting those to the blockchain.Additionally, these may or may not be followed by closing the payment channel by broadcasting the final version of the settlement transaction to distribute the channel’s funds.How Does the Lightning Network Affect Everyday Users?For example, one Lightning Network user, Jim, can open a payment channel with a local corner store and deposit $100 worth of Bitcoin in it. Every time he visits the store, he can use his balance to instantly buy whatever he pleases. At the same time, Jane, another Lightning Network user, has opened up a channel with the cafe next to the corner shop. She also buys things from the corner shop. Because Jim has opened a channel with the corner store, Jane can also use the Lightning Network to pay for things there. Similarly, Jim can use the Lightning Network at the cafe.
The Lightning Network is a second-layer payment protocol that operates on top of a blockchain-based cryptocurrency. It enables fast transactions among participating nodes and has been touted as a solution to the Bitcoin scalability problem.This framework features a peer-to-peer (P2P) system for making micropayments of cryptocurrency via a network of bidirectional payment channels without delegating custody of funds.Transactions on the Lightning Network are only added to the blockchain when the two parties that are involved in a payment channel open or close the channel. Therefore, multiple transactions can be sent within a single channel without requiring the consensus of the entire blockchain, making the transaction process considerably faster. Normalized use of the Lightning Network involves the opening of a payment channel by committing a funding transaction to the relevant base blockchain or first layer. This in turn is followed by making any number of Lightning transactions that update the distribution of the channel’s funds without broadcasting those to the blockchain.Additionally, these may or may not be followed by closing the payment channel by broadcasting the final version of the settlement transaction to distribute the channel’s funds.How Does the Lightning Network Affect Everyday Users?For example, one Lightning Network user, Jim, can open a payment channel with a local corner store and deposit $100 worth of Bitcoin in it. Every time he visits the store, he can use his balance to instantly buy whatever he pleases. At the same time, Jane, another Lightning Network user, has opened up a channel with the cafe next to the corner shop. She also buys things from the corner shop. Because Jim has opened a channel with the corner store, Jane can also use the Lightning Network to pay for things there. Similarly, Jim can use the Lightning Network at the cafe.
Read this Term, a protocol that was developed for making smaller transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain. The protocol promises to make Bitcoin efficient for daily use, but even after years of its development, it is yet to hit the mainstream.
“Downturns are good moments to focus on building and creating value with mission-aligned people. We’re excited to dive into Lightning, learn more and work alongside the community,” Marcus wrote in a statement.
The startup further clarified that it will not develop any cryptocurrency or stablecoin
Stablecoin
Unlike other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, stablecoins are cryptocurrencies that have been designed to keep a stable value. Placing a greater emphasis on stability over volatility can be a huge draw for some investors. Many individuals can be turned off from large swings and uncertainty presented by cryptos relative to other traditional assets.Stablecoins control for this volatility by being pegged to another cryptocurrency, fiat money, or to exchange-traded commodities, including gold, silver, or others. Advantages of StablecoinsOf note, stablecoins redeemable in currency, commodities, or fiat money are also said to be backed, whereas those tied to an algorithm are not considered to be so.There are several advantages of asset backed crypto. First, these coins are stabilized by assets that fluctuate outside of the crypto space, that is. This can help mitigate the financial risk associated with these assets.For example, Bitcoin and altcoins are highly correlated, so that cryptocurrency holders cannot escape periodic price falls. Stablecoins control for this vulnerability, allowing for the diversification of risk in a portfolio.Stablecoins also possess a mechanism for redeeming the asset backing them. This grants an additional level of confidence associated with the coin and are unlikely to drop below the value of the underlying physical asset, due to the effects such as arbitrage.For example, fiat-pegged coins are coins that are tied to a specified amount of fiat currency, usually on a one-to-one ratio (i.e.1 StablecoinX = $1). The companies that issue these currencies must have fiat reserves in the equivalent amount of the stablecoins they have issued.Crypto-pegged stablecoins constitute coins that are tied to a specified amount of another cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Algorithmic stablecoins use supply-and-demand to automatically maintain a stable value.
Unlike other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, stablecoins are cryptocurrencies that have been designed to keep a stable value. Placing a greater emphasis on stability over volatility can be a huge draw for some investors. Many individuals can be turned off from large swings and uncertainty presented by cryptos relative to other traditional assets.Stablecoins control for this volatility by being pegged to another cryptocurrency, fiat money, or to exchange-traded commodities, including gold, silver, or others. Advantages of StablecoinsOf note, stablecoins redeemable in currency, commodities, or fiat money are also said to be backed, whereas those tied to an algorithm are not considered to be so.There are several advantages of asset backed crypto. First, these coins are stabilized by assets that fluctuate outside of the crypto space, that is. This can help mitigate the financial risk associated with these assets.For example, Bitcoin and altcoins are highly correlated, so that cryptocurrency holders cannot escape periodic price falls. Stablecoins control for this vulnerability, allowing for the diversification of risk in a portfolio.Stablecoins also possess a mechanism for redeeming the asset backing them. This grants an additional level of confidence associated with the coin and are unlikely to drop below the value of the underlying physical asset, due to the effects such as arbitrage.For example, fiat-pegged coins are coins that are tied to a specified amount of fiat currency, usually on a one-to-one ratio (i.e.1 StablecoinX = $1). The companies that issue these currencies must have fiat reserves in the equivalent amount of the stablecoins they have issued.Crypto-pegged stablecoins constitute coins that are tied to a specified amount of another cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Algorithmic stablecoins use supply-and-demand to automatically maintain a stable value.
Read this Term.
The crypto startup has already received the backing of major investors, including a16z Crypto, Paradigm, Coatue and Matrix Partners, but the company did not disclose the amount it raised or the current valuation.
A Crypto Expert
Marcus was a long-time employee of Meta, spending more than seven years with the company. He headed Meta’s crypto wallet Novi for almost four years and sat on the board of the Diem Association. In addition, he was credited to be one of the creators of stablecoin Diem. But, the project has now been abandoned, and Meta and its partners have sold the assets to Silvergate Bank.
Moreover, Marcus worked with PayPal earlier and founded and headed a couple of other payments platforms.
Lightspark attracted several former executives of Meta’s crypto division and has now closed the stablecoin project, Diem (formerly Libra).
James Everingham, the former engineering Vice President of Novi, joined Marcus’ startup. Christian Catalini, another executive who helped develop Diem, has been charged with the economic and strategy efforts of Lightspark. Further, the communication efforts of the new company will be handled by the former Chief Marketing and Communication Officer of Robinhood, Christina Smedley.
