Lightning vs on-chain

In plain words

On-chain payments are heavy and final: every node on earth checks them, so they cost real fees and take time. That is the vault. Lightning is instant and nearly free, but needs funded channels and a wallet online to receive. That is the cash register. The split is deliberate, and it is yours to use. Coffee on Lightning. Savings on-chain.

Why it matters

• "Bitcoin can't scale" compares the vault to a card network. Wrong layer.
• Fees differ enormously between layers; so do the guarantees.
• Choosing the right layer is most of a good payment.

Go deeper

• Lightning Network
• Fees
• Confirmation