🕵️‍♂️ Monero nodes aren’t invisible (yet)

Many claim Monero is “untraceable.” Ok, it is true, however, if your node connects directly to the Internet—without a VPN or Tor/I2P—regulators can identify you, as your IP address is exposed on the P2P network.

You must differentiate between transaction traceability and connection traceability.

Tor or I2P reduce that risk, but they’re not magic: syncing the full blockchain still often relies on clearnet connections, and malicious nodes can map network topology.

This is not a minor detail: it’s an operational vulnerability that could be exploited in a future ban or under heavy regulatory pressure—e.g., by demanding ISP logs, compelling providers to hand over metadata, or deploying honeypot nodes to locate operators.

In short: Monero protects your transactions, not necessarily your network connection.

Real privacy depends on how you connect and the operational choices you make; ignoring that turns a powerful tool into an exposure vector.