The capacity of Bitcoin’s second-layer network, the Lightning Network (LN), reached an all-time high of approximately 563 billion satoshis. This equates to over 5,600 Bitcoin (BTC) locked in payment channels.
The graph below reveals the growth in LN production capacity, in addition to showing a sustained upward curve since July of this year, despite a sharp decline throughout 2025.
Already in mid-November, CriptoNoticias reported that this indicator is increasing and exceeding levels not seen since mid-2023, anticipating the scenario currently confirmed in records.
To measure the capacity of the Lightning Network, Total amount of Bitcoin locked into open payment channels by users within the network.
These funds will not be transferred to any third party or be beyond the control of the Participant, but will be reserved for the following purposes: Enable instant payments Outside the main Bitcoin chain.
Simply put, this metric reflects the number of BTC that can circulate within Lightning without the need to record new transactions at the base layer.
The larger the capacity, the The larger the potential payout It allows the network to operate quickly and efficiently.
Reaching an all-time high means that more users, businesses, or nodes want to transfer funds with Lightning, which is usually interpreted as a sign of growing confidence in the network and its practical utility as a payment system.
Bitcoin Lightning Network Capacity Hits All-Time High: What Can We Guess?
Although capacity does not measure the number of transactions or active users, it provides an important reference to the level of liquidity available on the network.
Lightning with greater capacity Can route high-value payments Reduces the possibility of failure due to lack of channel balance.
From an operational perspective, an increase in this metric suggests that the network is becoming more robust. More liquidity is distributed between nodes, facilitating more reliable payments, even when using long routes and multiple intermediaries.
However, capacity can also vary. It does not imply an irrevocable commitment, as the funds can be withdrawn at any time by closing the channel. Nevertheless, record highs are often associated with periods of increased adoption or continued use.
Finally, the increased adoption of LN is one of the factors that indicates: Users are currently barely using the main Bitcoin network For everyday transactions.