Looks like Bolt12 picks up traction, my favorite feature is Blinded Paths:

“This is supported in both onion and paid messages. It means that the sender does not know where the message is going, but includes encrypted blobs given in the onion message. This is used, for example, in onion message replies. It also allows offers to avoid revealing the sender's node id, if they wish. “

Since you can run your own Lightning node and won't have to rely on a third party (ARK ASP) to safeguard your privacy, Lightning Network wins big in terms of the ultimate privacy solution.

However ARK has two big advantages:

- Asynchronous payment.

- No worries about incoming liquidity.

Very interesting timing.