FAQs

Why is it called Zion? Zion is often used to share a peaceful ideal place for society, it stands for a utopian place of unity, peace and freedom. For the Matrix fans, it is also the last city NOT controlled by machines, the last remaining human city. We thought it fitting for what we have built.

Why is Zion built on Lightning, instead of another blockchain? The innovation of the Lightning Network is the use of time­-locked transactions and cryptographic nonces to allow many two ­party payment channels to form a connected network where payments can be sent over many channels without trusting the intermediate nodes.

The topology is similar to IP networks (the internet): packets of information are routed over many physical links, and the communicating end nodes don't worry about the route as long as data gets to the destination. This works via a decrementing time­ lock that permits every intermediate node along the routing path to accept funds only if they forward it along to the next participant, using disclosure of pre images of cryptographic hashes. In the Lightning Network, nodes are not able to seize funds traveling through their channels even if they fail to forward payments or refuse to perform any actions. A node operates without custody of third party funds, which is enforced by a time­ limited cryptographic script. Zion uses these same cryptographic functions to move data across the same packet layers.

What is staking for Anti-Spam? If a creator has staking turned on for the community, when you make a comment inside the community a certain amount SATS, which is outlined in the stake contract when you join the community, will be held in escrow. If the creator of the community deems your comment Spam they will delete the comment from the thread and you will lose your stake. If you comment stays on the community page for the duration of the staking contract you funds will be returned. This is how we use SATS to prevent spam.

What is the Lightning Network, and what does it have to do with Bitcoin? Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that allows participants in the network to send and receive payments without relying on a third party (i.e. a bank). First introduced in 2008, the Bitcoin protocol’s scalability is hampered by its relative latency and high transaction fees. The Lightning Network was proposed as a solution to Bitcoin’s scalability issue by enabling a high volume of participants to transact micropayments instantly. The Lightning Network is a “Layer 2” solution, which means that users can exchange funds internally and only pay settlement costs when they want to withdraw the money.