Abdullahi Yunus

Lightning⚡ is best known as a network for fast bitcoin payments. But what if the same infrastructure could also carry private messages? That’s the idea behind onion messages🧅. They rely on onion encryption, a technique where data is wrapped in multiple layers of encryption, like layers of an onion. As the message travels through the network, each node removes just one layer, learning only where the message came from and where it should go next. No single node ever sees the full route or the original sender and final recipient. In this article, @abdoolcodes explores how onion messages work, how they differ from traditional payment routing, and how they’re being implemented in LND. The piece also looks at why this small protocol change could turn Lightning into more than just a payment network. If you’re curious about how Lightning might evolve into a private communication layer, read the full blog to learn more: https://blog.btrust.tech/onion-messages-lightnings-private-messaging-layer/

We’re excited to have @abdoolcodes , software engineer and Btrust grantee, speaking at the #BtrustDeveloperDay. Abdullahi contributes to LND, one of the open‑source implementations of the Lightning Network, where his work focuses on implementing the onion message protocol, optimizing the network graph, and developing rigorous tests to enhance system stability. At the Developer Day, Abdullahi will join @i_extheo and Sulaiman Aminu Barkindo for a hands-on workshop. The workshop will guide participants through the process of setting up a Lightning node, configuring it for reliability, and maintaining privacy and stability through best practices. Attendees will also learn how to automate key tasks to optimize performance and streamline operations, gaining practical insights into how professional developers manage Lightning nodes at scale. Learn more and RSVP using the link on our bio.