Nostr Web Client

The idea behind #lightningnetwork is seducing but its reality is less glamorous.

Exactly 7mo. after testing @bluewallet I learn that they decide to shutdown their one server, effectively locking me out from my non-less-glamorous 109 Satoshi.

We could argue about the specific BlueWallet practises but alone the fact that this situation can occure is less than comforting.

Being in charge with their own keys is not trivial for many. But even that is not enough if you need to rely on non-trustless 3rd parties.

On a side note, I wonder if BlueWallet made ANY communication about all those "unmoved" funds. Obviously, I am not after 109 Satoshi but the idea of being locked out of even 1of them is unpleasant.

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Discussion

BeOG 2y ago

I thought that they were going to allow active users to continue to use it. I still use my blue wallet but maybe it's because it's linked to my alby address

chevdor 2y ago

I actually tried migrating but the "backup" BlueWallet provides is a link to a server that no longer runs...

As I mentioned, I don't care much about the few Satoshi I lost (alrhough I would have used them to experiment around here). My immediate reaction is to kick out this BlueWallet fromy phone and I now associate apps like @alby to this bad experience if that would not be for nostr:npub1xv8mzscll8vvy5rsdw7dcqtd2j268a6yupr6gzqh86f2ulhy9kkqmclk3x ;)

Those scenarii don't help install confidence with users.

BeOG 2y ago

I can understand your feelings about it. We definitely want to see wallet companies stay around grow their operations or at least give fair warning. I first heard about bluewallet shutting down on Cafe bitcoin. Like you say no warning no messages prior today. Then I started to receive emails from alby that says no need to panic the sats are safe 🤦🏿🤦🏿🤦🏿🤣🤣But they did recommend moving them. I only use bluewallet because it is convenient. I run my own lightning node I guess it's time to start going that route.

JimD 2y ago

I think you could configure your BlueWallet to use your own (LND?) Lightning node.

I don't think they support CoreLightning.

Perhaps BlueWallet will offer Greenlight support when that's available. They could even arrange to offer paid Greenlight hosting, with payment integrated into their wallet, and BOLT12 support to maintain the subscription.

Steven Day 2y ago

Using BlueWallet with other lightning services will still work. It’s their custodial service that’s gone.

chevdor 2y ago

I do understand. Although they did not even manage to notify their users though their app about that. Not very cool to say the least.

BeOG 2y ago

On another note it seems like Nostr is great for having real conversations with real feedback.

chevdor 2y ago

I would agree with that based on what I have seen so far.

Thanks for being part of it nostr:npub1p54q74kgnlfkfwyhy0l7wcgz89qppj3luj9cqncdlphzem6qmagszw8llg

Steven Day 2y ago

Yeah I agree.

I managed to only lose 1 sat but couldn’t clear out the whole balance cleanly.

BeOG 2y ago

Thanks for clearing that up. Figured it was something along those lines.

JimD 2y ago

They did notify, long in advance. I tried sweeping my funds (~1Mṩ) to a new Muun wallet. I did have to leave some behind (~8Kṩ = ~$6 USD ) due to liquidity channel constraints or fees or something. Then, 9 days ago, I sent most of what was left (5022ṩ).

Now I do seem to have ~3500ṩ (95¢) stuck there.

I used BlueWallet as my only LN wallet for years. I don't begrudge them these sats. I still have some funds in my on chain wallet there, and I still use it as "watch only" for some other (hardware) wallets.

I use Blockstream Green for most mobile purposes. There recently added support for more types of watch-only wallets means I can shift my watchers from BlueWallet to Green.

But, what I've been holding out for, for years, is Green support for Greenlight (LN self custody for mobile/desktop wallets). That's supposed to be available any time now.

JimD 2y ago

I wonder what ever happened to Striga (from Estonia) and their project to support Greenlight: https://www.greenlight.striga.com/login

(That demo seems to be for testnet, and I don't have any wallet configured for testnet ₿).

josie 2y ago

bluewallet communicated multiple times that they were sunsetting their custodial lightning node.

also, i’d caution against conflating your experience with bluewallet (a single app) with the #lightningnetwork

i have used a variety of lightning wallets, from custodial to non-custodial, over the years and had good and bad experiences.

the best lightning wallet out today is phoenix, in my experience.

chevdor 2y ago

Commnunicating several times on random social site before locking user out of funds is not decentralization and not the way to go.

I am with you on not mixing up an app and the network however, as a user testing around, the app often makes up or highlight the flaws of the network.

My expectation is to be able to have 1 sat, in my wallet, and have this 1 sat. still availble to me 10...20...30y from now. My phone can also get notifications from Apps... it would have been smarter to announce to users there.