Most Lightning tools assume you're always connected. But in many parts of the world, Cuba included, connectivity is a luxury, not a given. That creates a real challenge for merchants and users who want to use Lightning but can't guarantee a stable connection when a payment arrives.

I've been experimenting with a hybrid setup using LNbits for managing Lightning payments and an ecash mint like Cashu or eNuts as an offline fallback. The idea is simple. If the internet is down, users can pay with ecash vouchers locally. Once connectivity is restored, the merchant can redeem them or convert them back into Lightning channels.

This setup works well in areas with patchy mobile networks or frequent power cuts. LNbits handles the Lightning side with modest hardware and limited bandwidth. Ecash covers the offline gap. With USB sticks, QR codes or local mesh, the entire system stays functional even when the internet doesn't.

The goal is to make Lightning usable in real-world conditions. If you're working on something similar or have tried ecash in low-connectivity areas, I'd love to hear your thoughts.