Demand-Aware Payment Channel Networks

This paper initiates the study of demand-aware payment channel networks: offchain cryptocurrency networks whose topology is optimized toward the demand (i.e., financial transactions) it currently serves. In particular, we present a model and optimization framework which allows to compute where to optimally establish virtual payment channels: virtual payment channels allow to avoid intermediaries when routing payments, and hence to reduce fees and latency; however, establishing payment channels also comes at a cost.