yes, LN via custodial services is working and maturing. self custodial is not easy and needs AI to mange channels automatically imho. multiple L2 innovations ans options for quick peer to peer settlements are encouraged
Discussion
What about Liquid? Seems a bit easier to get going but it is more centralised than lightning...
Trying to scale on Blockchain with another Blockchain isn't an elegant engineering solution, it's also not a layer because you can't trustlessly settle back on chain
Complete non starter imo