HTX, one of the largest Bitcoin and crypto exchanges globally, announced it will be integrating the Bitcoin Lightning Network in partnership with Bitcoin firm IBEX.

JUST IN: Bitcoin and crypto exchange HTX to integrate #Bitcoin Lightning into its platform.

HTX has over 45 MILLION users 🚀 pic.twitter.com/mc1HEORJic

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) September 13, 2024

With over 45 million registered users, HTX is a leading Bitcoin and crypto platform in Asia and worldwide based on trading volume and Bitcoin custody. The exchange now plans to incorporate Lightning Network capabilities into its ecosystem.

Lightning Network is a second-layer payments protocol built on top of Bitcoin. It enables near-instant transactions with significantly lower fees. Exchanges have long sought to implement Lightning to boost speed and affordability.

“Through this strategic partnership, HTX and IBEX will jointly promote the application and popularization of Bitcoin and Lightning Network technology worldwide, providing users with more efficient, secure, and convenient digital asset trading services,” said an HTX spokesperson.

By leveraging IBEX’s Lightning Network solution, HTX users will soon enjoy faster payments and withdrawals along with reduced transaction costs.

Lightning is finally going mainstream with adoption by Coinbase and now HTX. The Bitcoin community has long awaited Lightning adoption by leading exchanges to boost functionality. Now, HTX is delivering by leading the next wave of Lightning integration.

This shows the gradual maturation of Lightning Network technology and its increasing viability for mainstream Bitcoin platforms. As more exchanges implement Lightning payments, Bitcoin strengthens its position as an efficient medium for global, instantaneous transactions with negligible fees. 

MicroStrategy announced it had purchased 18,300 Bitcoin for $1.11 billion, boosting its total holdings to 244,800 BTC acquired for $9.45 billion.

BREAKING: MicroStrategy buys an additional 18,300 #Bitcoin for $1.11 billion. pic.twitter.com/qhMg5EOqUF

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) September 13, 2024

The business intelligence firm, led by Bitcoin bull Michael Saylor, has been steadily accumulating Bitcoin as part of its corporate strategy since 2020. MicroStrategy’s latest billion-dollar purchase was conducted at an average price of $60,408 per Bitcoin.

According to Saylor, the company has achieved a 17% Bitcoin yield year-to-date, capitalizing on BTC’s appreciation as it continues borrowing fiat at low interest rates to expand its holdings.

At current prices, MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin trove is worth over $15 billion, greatly benefiting shareholders. The company’s stock price has surged in tandem with its Bitcoin accumulation.

Despite rough market conditions in 2024, MicroStrategy continues compounding its Bitcoin position for the long term. The firm treats Bitcoin as a superior treasury asset compared to cash that is subject to inflationary debasement.

MicroStrategy is executing the biggest speculative attack on fiat currency in history by acquiring the hardest money for its treasury. Other public companies are following MicroStrategy’s lead by adopting Bitcoin treasury policies and acquiring Bitcoin exposure on their balance sheets. However, MicroStrategy remains the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin in the world.

By harnessing underutilized capital to capture Bitcoin’s upside, MicroStrategy has moulded itself into an emerging Bitcoin development company that is powering the worldwide adoption of Bitcoin.

The Bitcoin mining difficulty reached a new all-time high of 92.67 trillion on September 11. This represents a 3.04% increase over the last 24 hours and continues an upward trajectory in mining competition.

JUST IN: #Bitcoin mining difficulty hit a NEW ALL-TIME HIGH 🚀 pic.twitter.com/vhq0ClEXRW

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) September 11, 2024

The Bitcoin difficulty chart plots the historical increases and decreases in mining difficulty over time. It measures how hard it is for miners to find a valid hash for the next block. Higher difficulty requires more computing power to mine new Bitcoin.

When combined with the Bitcoin price, difficulty helps determine miners’ profitability and return on investment. The metric soared in 2024 amid massive growth in Bitcoin’s overall hash rate and adoption.

The rising difficulty shows intensifying competition on the Bitcoin network as more miners fight for limited block rewards. This is generally constructive for network security and decentralization.

Despite rough market conditions this year, the difficulty increase displays the unprecedented demand for Bitcoin block rewards. It underlines the incredible security offered by the collective computing power of miners around the world.

The difficulty adjustment algorithm built into Bitcoin’s code dictates the pace of change in mining competition. It is programmed to find blocks approximately every 10 minutes, maintaining a steady influx of new Bitcoin over time.

This predictable Bitcoin issuance schedule makes its inflation rate easy to model and appeals to investors compared to fiat currencies subject to central bank policies.