  Offchain networks provide a promising solution to overcome the scalability
challenges of cryptocurrencies. However, design tradeoffs of offchain networks
are still not well-understood today. In particular, offchain networks typically
rely on fees-based incentives and hence require mechanisms for the efficient
discovery of ``good routes'': routes with low fees (cost efficiency) and a high
success rate of the transaction routing (effectiveness). Furthermore, the route
discovery should be confidential (privacy), and e.g., not reveal information
about who transacts with whom or about the transaction value. This paper
provides an analysis of the ``search friction'' of route discovery, i.e., the
costs and tradeoffs of route discovery in large-scale offchain networks in
which nodes behave strategically. As a case study, we consider the Lighning
network and the route discovery service provided by the trampoline nodes,
evaluating the tradeoff in different scenarios also empirically. Finally, we
initiate the discussion of alternative charging schemes for offchain networks.
