Improving Anonymity of the Lightning Network using Multiple Path Segment Routing

The Lightning Network (LN) is a second-layer solution built on top of the Bitcoin protocol, allowing faster and cheaper transactions without compromising on decentralization. LN is also designed to be more anonymous, since less information has to be shared with the entire network. This should, in theory, improve privacy as well. However, recent...

Improving the Anonymity of Layer-Two Blockchains Adding Random Hops

The Bitcoin Lightning Network is a layer-two solution that promises instant payments, scalability, and low transaction fees on top of the Bitcoin blockchain. In case there is no direct channel between the sender and receiver, the routing algorithm uses source routing and a shortest path algorithm to determine the hops in a transaction. However,...

Improving the Anonymity of Blockchains: The Case of Payment Channel Networks with Length-bounded Random Walk Insertion

The LND is currently the most popular routing algorithm used in the Lightning Network, the second layer solution to Bitcoin’s scalability. Despite its popularity, recent studies demonstrate that its deterministic nature compromises the anonymity of the Lightning Network. In other words, threatening parties present in the transaction path can...

Improving the Anonymity of the Lightning Network using Sub-Optimal Routes

The Lightning Network is a second layer payment protocol built on top of Bitcoin, which is scalable and has reduced transaction fees. It does so by eliminating the need to broadcast every transaction to the whole network. When one user wants to send a payment to another, the routing protocol generates a path between them that is always fast and...

Improving Blockchain Anonymity Using Hop Changes with Partial Route Computation

The Lightning Network aims to solve Bitcoin's scalability problem by providing a way to transact with minimal use of the blockchain. Instead, payments are routed over payment channel networks. This routing is done by LN clients, which use cost functions to compute the optimal transaction path. With the use of onion routing, LN tries to hide the...