There definitely are startup costs of running your own node, depending on what type of system you want to use. An old PC can usually do the job, but you’ll want to at least outfit it with a fast SSD drive. You can even use a Raspberry Pi, which is what I have. Just be aware that computer parts need to be replaced over time because they will eventually fail at some point. Your initial hardware costs might be somewhere in the neighborhood of $300-500. The bigger expenses are actually in setting up enough Lightning channels for your node to route reliably. For example, if you open 5 channels for 1 million sats each, you’re committing about $1400 worth of bitcoin to your node for an indefinite period of time.
For those who want the benefits that running a node can offer, this is an acceptable starting cost. But it really depends on each individual’s comfort level and commitment. You won’t make back your initial dollar investment quickly (if ever), but imagining that the value of bitcoin is higher in a few years, that, plus the advantages of keeping your own copy of the blockchain and securing your own sats might be enough to make it feel worthwhile.
I’ll restate my earlier point: If you’re not running your own node, you’re always using someone else’s.
you mean liars and pretenders getting into wars and conflict over who’s make believe is the truth?
explain it to you, Peter, but I’m afraid I can’t understand it for you.
