Our traditional payment systems were built in the 1970s. đź’ł

They’re expensive, slow and permissioned.

So when software tries to trigger the high-frequency, automated payments we now expect...

Settlement still takes days, and fees pile up fast.

They’re also subject to fraud and have chargeback risk.

Lightning changes that.

Machines can coordinate and exchange value in real time—globally, with minimal cost.

3 examples of automated commerce powered by Lightning (now and in the future):

1. Gaming platforms – Players earn, spend, and trade instantly. No banks. No chargebacks. Just peer-to-peer value.

2. API marketplaces – Devs pay per call in real time. No subscriptions. No credits. No waiting for end-of-month billing.

3. Content delivery – Bandwidth and video priced per byte or minute. Streaming payments settle while you watch.

This unlocks lower costs and zero billing friction—for users and builders.

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Discussion

Im always confused why USA does not have any kind of instant payment system.

I can send money directly to my friends bank account on my phone using only their phone number or email address, it's instant.

We've had payid and instant payments for a decade at least