Nostr Web Client

dandro 2y ago

Are you running a node anon? Did you know you can self host your own lightning node and receive zaps right to it?

The reasons you may want to run a node vary:

You want to verify your own transactions in a self-sovereign way.

You want to coinjoin in a self-sovereign way.

You want to spend via the Lightning network.

You want to run a Lightning routing node, meaning you want to earn fees for helping others transact.

You want to run BTCPay Server.

It could be any of those things, or all of them. Depending on how much you need to do with your Bitcoin Node, there have never been more options out there.

Let's discuss.

Reply to this note

Please Login to reply.

Discussion

dandro 2y ago

Run Bitcoin core on your PC or Laptop

This is a simple and effective way to run your own software capable of verifying Bitcoin transactions in a self sovereign way. Paired with Sparrow Wallet, or Spectre, it’s a great setup for the minimalist node runner. The initial setup takes some time because you need to download the timechain history, but it’s as simple as downloading Bitcoin core and picking a software wallet to pair it with (I recommend Sparrow Wallet.) You will have to dig in a little on how to pair the wallet, but Sparrow does a good job of describing how to do that. No command line stuff at all.

You can even run a pruned node if you don't have enough space.

dandro 2y ago

Run a pre-built Bitcoin Node Stack on a Raspberry Pi

There are a growing number of pre-built Bitcoin node stacks that run not only Bitcoin Core, but also have several other app offerings. They all offer both a software download that you can install on your Raspberry Pi, and they also offer to ship you a Raspberry Pi prebuilt and pre-loaded with their software.

If you are going to use any of these in DIY fashion some of them require you to buy a Raspberry Pi 4. Best bet is to get an 8gb version or better. Currently prices are a little crazy for these computers, and that could be temporary due to supply chain stuff, I don’t know the answer to that.

dandro 2y ago

Here is a list of the pre-built Bitcoin Node stacks that I know about:

MyNode – Easy install. Flash an SD card and put that into your Rasperry Pi. $99 for “premium” apps, which includes being able to run tor, btcpay server, and mempool. They also offer software for an AMD64 computer as well.

GetUmbrel – This is likely the easiest and most commonly run software for those doing DIY Bitcoin node stacks on a Raspberry Pi. As easy to install as MyNode with just a flashed SD card, but it includes apps that MyNode charges for. Also, the interface is easy to navigate and many would say it’s the easiest on the eyes. Like MyNode, they also offer software to install on an AMD64 computer.

RunCitadel – This started out as a fork of the Umbrel node stack. They do still share things in common but in general the UIs are very different at this point. RunCitadel is fully FOSS and some would argue that this makes it superior software to Umbrel.

RoninDojo – Also installs with a flashed SD card, but a little more involved throughout the install process. RoninDojo does not offer Lightning and I would not bet on them adding it anytime soon. This install is command-line heavy. The RoninDojo stack is primarily built to be paired with your Android device in order to run Samourai Wallet in a self sovereign way. Coinjoin to your hearts content without every sharing your xpub.

RaspiBlitz – Installs with a flashed SD card also, but like Ronindojo, the setup is a little more involved and is heavy on command line. You can run a RaspiBlitz install on an AMD64 computer but the process is very involved.

Start9 – Start9 offers their EmbassyOS and is not primarily a Bitcoin node as it offers applications for those looking to break away from depending on cloud based services, such as password managers, and photo backup services. This software also works on AMD64 computers. EmbassyOS is very easy to setup on your computer as it only requires flashing an SD card and will work on your AMD64 machine out of the box, you do not need to install on OS on it.

dandro 2y ago

You can also run your own custom built node stack if you want to avoid trusting other software but still want all of the bells and whistles that come with the pre-built node stacks, like lightning and BTCPay server. I have detailed K3tan's video series on his nodebox option here: https://citadels.org/nodeupgrade/

Bumble Bee TC 2y ago

Great thread 🧵

I wanted to set up a node for a long time but found Raspberry Pi to be expensive atm due to no inventory. Ended up grabbing a Tiny Thinkcenter for under $100 and went the Start9 route. Surprised at how simple it was to install the OS and bitcoin services. Couldn’t be happier!

streetyogi 2y ago

I am thinking about setting up RaspiBlitz, the display seems to be the priciest part.

https://github.com/rootzoll/raspiblitz

dandro 2y ago

If it’s cost prohibitive you can set it up without the display.

streetyogi 2y ago

True, this is more of a solution for a store. To simply run a node, just LNd, Core Lighning or Eclair is needed. And a Bitcoin, Electrum or Neutrino node.

dandro 2y ago

You can use the raspiblitz headless in conjunction with something like an iPad if you already have it

streetyogi 2y ago

Ah, cool, skimmed too fast over that part :)

charisma_ni_zandro 2y ago

Do you teach in non- english language?

dandro 2y ago

I speak Spanish, not sure what you’re looking for. I don’t do write ups in Spanish.