Chaincode Labs to Help Developers Build Apps on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network

New Residency Program from Chaincode Helps Developers to Build Apps on Lightning Network, Despite Being in the Beta Stage

The Lightning Network is finally in the beta stages, and everyone that works at or invests in Bitcoin is waiting with bated breath to see what will come of it. Right now, experts say that this new network will help them reach full adoption to mainstream use, it is far from what the original plan was, and it is fairly difficult to use. The Bitcoin developers from Chaincode Labs believe that there is more to add to this protocol, which would make it much easier to utilize for multiple use cases.

Ideally, the use of the Lightning Network would make the entire process easy. However, what Chaincode believes is missing is just that. They believe that it should just involve the entry of the user’s private key on a POS device, allowing the user to just make a purchase, but the technology is behind. The group leaders, Alex Morcos and Matt Corallo, have been responsible for hosting programs that teach developers to understand the coding, and unravel it for their use.

In an announcement on Monday, Chaincode has a new program offer, which will take place from October 22^nd to 26th. The residency program follows two others that they have hosted – one in 2016 and the other in 2018. Realistically, based on the words of Chaincode engineer Marco Falke, the goal is to develop technology that helps the everyday user, rather than just the elite group of developers that want to get their hands on it. Falke also said,

“There aren't many apps and you can't go into a shop and pay with bitcoin. There is all this missing infrastructure. We thought it would be great to get some app developers involved that have experience building websites, but don't have to have any background in bitcoin or lightning.”

This is not the first time that a company has chosen to help explain the network, since there’s already apps out there that show how to use Bitcoin and Lightning network to develop new apps. However, having a bootcamp in place provides an immersive atmosphere. Specifically, in a Medium blog post, Chaincode Labs Inc. wrote,

“We’re looking for experienced applications developers, perhaps with a background in web apps or Ethereum apps, who want to learn about integrating Lightning payments into applications. No experience of the Bitcoin or Lightning protocols are required.”

The program will involve multiple speakers that will help attendees to get the information that they need to take them through the developing world of cryptocurrency, specifically highlight the network. The speakers include:

• Elaine Ou, who is an engineer at Global Financial Access, and who has played a pivotal role in implementing the Lightning Network, Jellybean applications, and the LightningBuddy,
• Jack Mallers, who developed the wallet for both desktop and iOS for payments submitted through the Lightning Network,
• Justin Camarena, who is an engineer at the first payment processing company that has agreed to accept Lightning payment,
• And lightningk0ala, who is an expert on games that run on the Lightning network

During the week, it will not be all seminars and lessons. The residents involved will be required to build a prototype of an eventual application and will have a chance to present it as a proposal on the final day. Chaincode hopes to involve about 12 students, and all of the speakers will remain as instructors for the entirety of the course. There is no restriction on the type of app that the resident has to create, but they will have to offer a demonstration of how it functions when the bootcamp ends. These demonstrations will be recorded and released to the public, once the program ends.

The whole point of the bootcamp is to help expand the range of developers on the network, since much of the confusion has to do with how to use Lightning in the first place. Falke said,

“Personally, I think every day we wait for lightning applications will delay lightning and bitcoin. It's really important to do this app development thing as soon as possible.”

An engineer for Chaincode, James O’Beirne, believes that these applications could help shine a new and positive light on Bitcoin, which could definitely use it. He said,

“A lot of people outside of bitcoin don't understand it's capabilities, including lightning. By facilitating app development we're spreading awareness of what bitcoin is actually capable of. People have turned to other smart contract platforms because they don't understand how powerful bitcoin can be.”

To get involved in and apply to this bootcamp, go to http://lightningresidency.com/. The program is to be held in New York City.