How is Bitcoin’s ‘Liquid sidechain’ different from the Lightning network?

The Blockchain startup Blockstream recently announced another innovative solution to address the all-important issue of scalability for the Bitcoin blockchain network. But before we get to that, a quick recap of the company itself — Blockstream was founded in 2014, made headlines in the Crypto arena after announcing sidechain Liquid network, was able to secure a funding of $21 million in the seed round followed by $55 million in Series A funding for its flagship product. It was eventually launched by Samson Mow and Joseph Weinberg in 2017. Finally, it released its long-awaited Liquid network which went live on Sep. 27 after a year-long beta testing on the bitcoin blockchain network.

Moving on to the Liquid network itself, as its parent company proclaims on its website it offers:

• Faster Trading — The network has its own native token L-BTC (Liquid Bitcoin) which is pegged to the price of Bitcoin with which it can be readily swapped at any time. These digital asset lets institutions settle transactions within 2 minutes.
• Enhanced Efficiency — Since the Exchanges are involved in deploying the network it allows for a seamless experience. It also helps since you never have to physically hold the bitcoins on the sidechain itself.
• Verifiable Sidechains…