<p>what you are talking about is usually refered to as dual funded channels. This is a feature that did not make it into the current version of the Protocol (BOLT1.0). However it was agreed by the developers that it should become part of BOLT 1.1. Currenly C-lightning has most progress towards this feature. </p>

<p>There is a legacy feature <code>push_msat</code> which opens the channel from one side but allow you to already push funds to your friend. however you should not that these funds lost directly. </p>

<p>If you want to be able to receive funds on the Lightning network there are three options: 
1. someone else opens  a channel withyou (for example when they want to send you money anyway)
2. You pay someone on the lightning network or buy something after you have opened channels
3. You use an onchain / off chain swapping service after you opened a channel but this puts requires and additional on chain transaction.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-05T18:04:05.030Z
Thanks @rene-pickhardt  -- strange that so many guides use the dual-funded channels for the explanations, I thought I'd missed something obvious. I've been playing with LoopOut to create remote liquidity and that seems to work so far.
jalal
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-05T20:06:35.033Z
Based on your description, weren't you reading about "bidirectional channels"?
Tony Sanak
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-05T17:49:12.227Z
2020-06-05T17:49:12.227Z
Rene Pickhardt
<p>Most guides to LN describe it working "through 'payment-channels', wherein two parties commit funds", usually Alice and Bob. But I cannot see a way to actually create this scenario. I've just started running my own <code>lnd</code> node and I can open, and fund, channels to other peers, but this always seems to be a single fund of the channel.
As I say, I've just started out in the LN world so I may have missed something blindingly obvious, but how does one go about funding a channel <em>with</em> my friend Bob?</p>

<lightning-network><lightning-nodes>
Two party payment channels, how to set one up?
jalal
# Two party payment channels, how to set one up?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-06-05)

Most guides to LN describe it working "through 'payment-channels', wherein two parties commit funds", usually Alice and Bob. But I cannot see a way to actually create this scenario. I've just started running my own `lnd` node and I can open, and fund, channels to other peers, but this always seems to be a single fund of the channel.
As I say, I've just started out in the LN world so I may have missed something blindingly obvious, but how does one go about funding a channel *with* my friend Bob?

**Tags:** lightning-network, lightning-nodes


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-06-05. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

what you are talking about is usually refered to as dual funded channels. This is a feature that did not make it into the current version of the Protocol (BOLT1.0). However it was agreed by the developers that it should become part of BOLT 1.1. Currenly C-lightning has most progress towards this feature.

There is a legacy feature `push_msat` which opens the channel from one side but allow you to already push funds to your friend. however you should not that these funds lost directly.

If you want to be able to receive funds on the Lightning network there are three options:
1. someone else opens a channel withyou (for example when they want to send you money anyway)
2. You pay someone on the lightning network or buy something after you have opened channels
3. You use an onchain / off chain swapping service after you opened a channel but this puts requires and additional on chain transaction.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks @username_1  -- strange that so many guides use the dual-funded channels for the explanations, I thought I'd missed something obvious. I've been playing with LoopOut to create remote liquidity and that seems to work so far.  
> **username_2**: Based on your description, weren't you reading about "bidirectional channels"?  

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