Litecoin users send and receive LTC on the blockchain by inputting the public-key information attached to each person’s digital wallet.

As noted, Litecoin uses code very similar to Bitcoin’s. But unlike Bitcoin’s proof-of-work consensus – where participants known as “miners” compete against each other using specialized computer equipment to be the first to discover new blocks – LTC incorporates the Scrypt proof-of-work algorithm, which makes it possible to mine the cryptocurrency with consumer-grade hardware.

Another characteristic that makes Litecoin different from Bitcoin is the time it takes to confirm blocks. It takes Bitcoin nine minutes on average to produce a block, while it takes Litecoin two and a half minutes to produce a block on its network.

Litecoin essentially serves as a “testnet” for improvements to be implemented on the Bitcoin blockchain. For example, Litecoin integrated the Lightning Network – a second-layer technology for Bitcoin to create micropayment channels for payments – ahead of Bitcoin.

By CoinDesk | Original Link