My question is: EMC2 really needs lightning network? For what I understand about Einstenium, it's not a project that aims to be and "everyday" currency, in my opinion it doesn't need to scale in that way. It could use smart contracts instead, since there is a crowdfunding component involved. Also yeah, atomic swaps
Lightning is, IMO, the best way to get atomic swaps. And if you'll read a few posts up, you'll know that smart contracts can lead to even more congestion than everyday currency transactions and that too could be alleviated by lightning.
I've never understood why people see lightning in such narrow terms. It's a versatile tool, not a super-specific feature. It can be used in more ways than anyone has yet imagined.