btc-payment-channel

Bitcoin Simple Payment Channels

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A simple, straight-forward Micropayment Channel library in Javascript.

Why was this written?

It was difficult understanding what was going on in other libraries. Too much abstraction and reliance on other libraries. Some where just plain difficult to setup at the first place.

Focus of this Repo

1. Simplicity

   This repo is really dedicated to solely payment channels, nothing fancy is added to it. However some assumptions had to be made. It is assumed that there does not exist a Wallet out there that could run Payment Channels. So you'll have to fund a "Temporary Client Wallet" to initiate the Payment Channels. Ideas to work around this is welcomed!

2. Down to Bitcoin Basics & Minimalism

   A lot of libraries out there do a lot of abstraction for you which is great and all but it is horribly difficult to work if left unmaintained. One such example is Bitcore's Payment Channel JS Library. I've intentionally only stuck to "bitcoinjs-lib" only just for my own sanity's sake and yours if you'd like to know what is going on under the hood.

3. Learning the Basics

   I also wrote this so I could learn the fundamentals and it was good practice. That being said, comments are welcomed.

Library Dependencies

• bitcoinjs-lib

Test Dependencies

• Request
• Async
• Mocha.js

Disclaimer

Given what is said above, I strongly insist that this runs only on "testnet". Even so, please make an effort to not "accidentally" destroy any testnet coins!