Oddbean

I just signed up with them last night to set up a wallet via Alby Hub. All I provided was my e-mail address, and then I linked my Nostr account. There was no other KYC aspects (unless I am ignorant of what the term really means, in which case just let me know). The membership does of course have a monthly fee and I think that's where they are going to be getting their income from. As far as setting up the Lightning node/channel (I'm still learning this part), I had to pay to do that initial setup but it didn't seem excessive to me, and now it's working great and I can send and receive and have a nice interface to manage it all from. Just wanted to try to give my perspective as someone brand new to Nostr and Lightning. So far Alby's process has made everything the most straightforward for me out of other options I've seen.

That's fine. But... If it comes down to it, I'm just gonna stop using lighting. I refuse to use services that embrace the nonsense that the state had the right to know everything that you do financially. In still a few steps away from never needing a bank, but... I'm going to get there. KYC is the death of all freedom. All. ALL.

I agree with you. It's a safe assumption that they will not find any method or have the capability to manipulate Bitcoin. Therefore, they can only ever manipulate L2 technologies. This is also why I don't plan on owning any alt coins ever for any serious reason. There's always a human in the loop. I'm still new to all this and actively learning... but so far Lightning does make sense to me to make transactions faster and more efficient. However, if it becomes compromised to that same level you describe, with the state wanting to know everything you do financially, would there be any reason to keep using it? Does it provide something to Bitcoin that's crucial enough that people wouldn't seek a more secure alternative with more privacy?