Lightning is not native to bitcoin. It is another protocol utilizing the HTLC functions of bitcoin to create a smart contract. This enables a nearly trustless conversion settlement onto the Bitcoin timechain. I am not advocating for selling the Bitcoin asset for fiat at any point. I am using Dollars (pre 1971) relationship to gold as a currency layer to ease transaction volume the same way lightning does for bitcoin. I don't think you realize that lightning was developed by Joseph Poon and Thaddeus Dryja and was not part of the bitcoin protocol. I AM saying people should use bitcoin like money. I am just saying they shouldn't use it like Cash because it doesn't do that well enough for market velocity. Money is not cash. Those two things serve different purposes.

What about gold and silver coins throughout history? Is a Krugerrand money or cash or an asset? A Bitcoin in lightning is always a real Bitcoin on the chain. You really think every dollar was backed by gold 'till 1971? For sure not. They started printing bevore.