Now include a future discounted transaction flow of a growing sidechain (Lightning network) that also "settles" transactions off the main chain. 1 main chain t

Now include a future discounted transaction flow of a growing sidechain (Lightning network) that also "settles" transactions off the main chain. 1 main chain transaction != 1 transaction In the same way Visa uses a centralized database to "handle" millions of transactions, Coinbase/Paypal/Square can offer inter-user transfers that occur off the main chain too, scaling to the millions. These are apples and oranges, if you want to compare transactions, you should first define what a "transaction" is. A bicycle is more energy efficient than a car, but that doesn't mean they solve the same problem.