Bitfinex Explains How BitVMX Watchtowers Secure Lightning
Bitfinex published an article on how BitVMX Watchtowers could improve the security and decentralisation of the Lightning Network. By using fraud proofs, BitVMX turns watchtowers into programmable and verifiable agents whose actions can be audited and challenged on-chain, reducing trust in any single operator and enhancing Lightning’s resilience for mainstream adoption.
blog.bitfinex.com
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How can BitVMX Watchtowers Help Improve the Lightning Network?
Watchtowers are specialised services in the Bitcoin Lightning Network that protect users from fraud by monitoring the blockchain and intervening if an outdated channel state is maliciously broadcast. Their importance lies in safeguarding users who may be offline or unable to respond to disputes in real-time, a key vulnerability in Lightning’s off-chain payment model. However, traditional watchtower designs often rely on centralised, trusted parties, which introduces censorship and privacy concerns. BitVMX introduces a new solution to this problem by enabling watchtowers to act as programmable, verifiable agents.