<p>The definition of a <strong>sidechain</strong> is more universally agreed than the definition of <strong>Layer 2</strong>. Some people might argue that sidechains are a subset of Layer 2 scaling solutions. Lightning Network is definitely a Layer 2 scaling solution.</p>
<p>Personally I would say the difference between a <strong>sidechain</strong> and <strong>Layer 2</strong> is that Layer 2 scaling solutions such as Lightning are trust minimized protocols. They are designed such that trust in your channel counterparty (or anybody else on the network) is minimized.</p>
<p>Whereas sidechains (e.g. Blockstream's Liquid) do not seek to minimize trust, they instead make the design decision to lock funds up into a multisignature (in Liquid's case, a 11-of-15) onchain where the parties in that multisignature are trusted or relied upon to get the funds out of that sidechain. Sidechains make this choice because it provides greater efficiency (less reliance on timelocks), greater flexibility (you don't need to set most of the rules at inception), reduced fees (you don't need to pay routing fees like you do on the Lightning Network) and reduced capital constraints (you aren't constrained by the capacity of Lightning channels).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-17T23:42:43.143Z
A key point for me would be that sidechains have their own global consensus mechanism, usually a distinct blockchain.
Murch
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-17T23:49:53.430Z
I'd go further and say that in order for something to be a sidechain, it has to be a **chain**. Regarding Layer 2, I think the term is grossly overused, but if I had to give it a consistent definition it would be "anything built on top of a blockchain". Something that's a blockchain itself (like a sidechain) would therefore be just another layer 1, not a layer 2.
Pieter Wuille
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-15T16:52:28.440Z
2020-09-16T09:57:16.433Z
2020-09-16T09:57:16.433Z
Michael Folkson
<p>I want to know what's the difference between &quot;sidechain&quot; and &quot;layer 2&quot;.</p>
<p>Is it the same thing ?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>

<terminology><sidechains>
Sidechain vs layer 2
Bob5421
# Sidechain vs layer 2

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-09-15)

I want to know what's the difference between "sidechain" and "layer 2".

Is it the same thing ?

Thanks

**Tags:** terminology, sidechains


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-09-15. Score: 2

The definition of a **sidechain** is more universally agreed than the definition of **Layer 2**. Some people might argue that sidechains are a subset of Layer 2 scaling solutions. Lightning Network is definitely a Layer 2 scaling solution.

Personally I would say the difference between a **sidechain** and **Layer 2** is that Layer 2 scaling solutions such as Lightning are trust minimized protocols. They are designed such that trust in your channel counterparty (or anybody else on the network) is minimized.

Whereas sidechains (e.g. Blockstream's Liquid) do not seek to minimize trust, they instead make the design decision to lock funds up into a multisignature (in Liquid's case, a 11-of-15) onchain where the parties in that multisignature are trusted or relied upon to get the funds out of that sidechain. Sidechains make this choice because it provides greater efficiency (less reliance on timelocks), greater flexibility (you don't need to set most of the rules at inception), reduced fees (you don't need to pay routing fees like you do on the Lightning Network) and reduced capital constraints (you aren't constrained by the capacity of Lightning channels).

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: A key point for me would be that sidechains have their own global consensus mechanism, usually a distinct blockchain.  
> **username_3**: I'd go further and say that in order for something to be a sidechain, it has to be a **chain**. Regarding Layer 2, I think the term is grossly overused, but if I had to give it a consistent definition it would be "anything built on top of a blockchain". Something that's a blockchain itself (like a sidechain) would therefore be just another layer 1, not a layer 2.  

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