How to run a big relay profitably and solve spam at the same time. Charge 1 sat per note.

Optional free tier requiring a proof of work challenge. It works like this: the relay creates a unique challenge, a random number, and sends it to the client for a response. Client response takes the form of a nonce, another random number. To verify the proof of work, concatenate the challenge and response and hash them. If the hash does not start with enough zero bits, drop it on the ground and close connection. That's a spammer.

If you think about it, bitcoin is just banked proof of work. So by paying a nominal fee in sats you are providing a time-delayed proof of work. It all comes down to proof of work at the end of the day. Spammers can't do it at scale. Users can.

"But vnprc I am a penniless pauper, don't I deserve social media too?" Honestly, no. But you can buy a bitaxe and earn some spending sats that way. Better yet: get an old S9 and heat your home with it. Now you have shitposting money and you are decentralizing hashrate. Congratulations, Harry. You're a bitcoiner.