"Lightning Strikes: Navigating the Security Hazards and Future Consequences of Attacks on the Bitcoin Lightning Network"

In recent era of digital innovation, developments in the cryptocurrency market have been rapid and tumultuous, particularly with regards to the security hazards posed by the Lightening Network. The risks associated with these advancements, such as routing attacks, are increasingly prevalent and alarming. As an expert financial analyst, I see an urgent need to examine this issue in closer detail.

The Lightning Network, a layer-2 scalability solution for the Bitcoin blockchain, accelerates transaction processes by reducing the requirement to account for each one on the Bitcoin blockchain. The consequence of which is a significant diminution of congestion and costs. However, this network is by no means invulnerable to security threats, one of the significant risks being routing attacks. Understanding these attacks, their working methods, variants, identification, and means of prevention is an absolute necessity.

A common routing attack on the Lightning Network involves an attacker deliberately imposing exorbitant routing fees, making it costly for other participants to route payments through their channels. This effectively complicates the process for the Lightning Network to route transactions affordably and efficiently. Malevolent individuals have also been known to manipulate the routing system by disseminating misleading information or errors throughout the network, thereby compromising its reliability and usability.

Such multiplicity in attack methods pose significant financial risks to users as well as disruption to the effectiveness of the network, particularly if multiple channels are concurrently congested. The financial risks concerned extend even further, with attackers potentially exploiting these vulnerabilities to divert payments intended for legitimate recipients to their own channels, or to utilise the usurpation of large segments of the networks routing capacity through fictitious nodes to swindle money or enact further attacks.

To combat these threats, vigilance from the Lightning Networks developers and users is paramount, frequent upgrades in network security, investment in advanced routing algorithms, and adherence to responsible node operation practices are all required. Paying heed to unusual payment failures, unexpected routing costs, and drastic liquidity changes can also aid in early detection of these curropt activities.

For investors and users alike, the future implications of these attacks are enormous. To continue investing in or utilizing Bitcoin and the Lightning Network, users will have to be vigilant and equipped with the knowledge needed to protect themselves from security threats. An increase in attacks could potentially deter potential entrants and thus impact the growth and popularity of the network. Therefore while investing in cryptocurrencies remains a potentially rewarding venture, staying abreast of advancements in security measures is equally vital to the long term success of investments in the market.

It is essential to recognize the importance of these developments and to take steps to prevent potential attacks. By selecting trusted nodes, diversifying channels, monitoring channel activity consistently, and staying updated with the latest software releases, users can foster a more secure environment for their transactions over the Lightning Network. This continuous evolution and the tussle between the validation of financial gains and security risks is likely to shape the very future of the network as well as dictate market movements.

Hence, its clear that navigating the brave new world of cryptocurrency is no simple feat—it is punctuated with both great opportunities for return on investment and threats that require prompt responsiveness and an informed decision-making process. In this landscape, vigilance is more than rewarded—its required.