Subject: Feature Request: Potential Integration of Bitcoin's Lightning Network for Micropayments on Mastodon

T3kn3vra commented 3 weeks ago

Dear Mastodon Development Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to propose a new feature that could GREATLY enhance user interaction and engagement on Mastodon: integrating support for Bitcoin's Lightning Network to facilitate micropayments, similar to the "Zaps" feature on Nostr.

Background:

The Lightning Network is a layer-two scaling solution for Bitcoin that enables near-instant, low-cost transactions. It has been successfully integrated into Nostr, where users can send "Zaps" (tips) with minimal fees using the NIP-57 protocol. This feature has become a popular way for users to express appreciation and support for content creators, fostering a more interactive and rewarding experience.

Proposal:

I would like to propose that Mastodon consider implementing a similar feature to allow users to send and receive micropayments using the Lightning Network.

This could be achieved by:

Developing a Protocol: Create a protocol similar to NIP-57, which defines how micropayments can be requested and processed on Mastodon.
Integrating Lightning Wallets: Allow users to link their Lightning wallets (such as Alby, Wallet of Satoshi, or Muun) to their Mastodon profiles, enabling them to send and receive tips easily.
User Interface Enhancements: Introduce a simple and intuitive UI element, like a lightning bolt icon, next to posts and profiles, allowing users to send tips with just a few clicks.
Privacy and Security: Ensure that the integration prioritizes user privacy and security, with options for both custodial and non-custodial wallet setups.

Benefits:

Increased Engagement: Users are more likely to interact with content if they can easily show appreciation through micropayments.
Support for Creators: Content creators can receive direct financial support from their followers, encouraging high-quality content production.
Decentralization and Innovation: Embracing Bitcoin's Lightning Network aligns with Mastodon's ethos of decentralization and open-source innovation.

Conclusion:

Integrating the Lightning Network for micropayments on Mastodon could provide a SIGNIFICANT boost to user engagement and satisfaction, while also supporting content creators in a decentralized manner. I believe this feature could set Mastodon apart as a forward-thinking social media platform that embraces innovative technologies.

Thank you for considering this proposal.

I am interested about the potential this feature holds for the Mastodon community and would be happy to discuss it further or assist in any way possible.

LINKS:

https://opennode.com/lightning-network/

https://lightning.network/

https://nostr.how/en/zaps

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/lightning-network.asp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostr

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning_Network

melvincarvalho commented 2 weeks ago

"Zaps" are a great way to drive engagement, and it’s important to distinguish them from "crypto" token scams—there’s no middleman or token sales involved here.

This is really about the Value for Value model, which aligns well with the principles of free software. We’ve seen promising experiments, where "Zaps" function as a kind of "super like." Users dont really even need to know what's behind it, just call it Zaps. Zaps also have potential for other uses, like reducing spam.

The integration should be straightforward, given the maturity of the free software ecosystem and existing tools like lightning addresses. It’s worth considering as an opt-in feature for some instances—I think users will appreciate it more than expected.

Kiloku commented 2 weeks ago

Users dont really even need to know what's behind it

You know what you're offering is bad when you have to obfuscate what it really is

mastodon / mastodon-android