Enjoy

This is true #sovereignty

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How to be sovereign running your own nodes

This is where you learn to run your first (or next) node, even if you’re not tech-savvy or flush with cash.

Stick with me.

Forget trusting random fuckers with your data, run your nodes. Relying on other nodes is like using rented lungs to breathe. Your node, your rules.

This guide shows you how to build a master hardware setup for your nodes: Bitcoin, Bitcoin Lightning, Nostr, and more. You’ll learn to pick affordable, reliable gear and get things running without being a tech genius.

What if someone malicious controls the nodes you use? They could provide incorrect, censored data, leak your IP or UTXO details, and filter your transactions.

Even a non-malicious but outdated node risks your funds. How would you feel knowing someone else sets the rules for your money? Can you really afford that risk?

Not running your own node is a great contribution for centralization and opens the door to 51% attacks. With your node, you can even run multiple Lightning channels, earn routing fees while protecting your privacy.

Think of a node as your personal data gateway. It’s your own machine, doing the heavy lifting, verifying transactions, and storing history. No shady middlemen, no outsourced bullshit.

A full node means holding every transaction and block detail, on your own terms. It’s about not taking shortcuts or relying on someone else’s doctored records.

There are different types of nodes—Bitcoin, Bitcoin Lightning, Nostr relays, and more. They all serve the same purpose: giving you full control of your data and cutting out the crap.

By running your own node, you’re not just a user. You’re the one who makes sure every transaction is legit and every block stands up to scrutiny. You’re owning your digital space, and that’s power.

It starts solid hardware. Forget underpowered Raspberry Pis.

To get a full node, you need a system with at least 1-2 TB of SSD, 16 GB of RAM, and a multi-core i5, i7, Ryzen 5, or Ryzen 7. That's the baseline for stability and speed.

My hack to score affordable gear.. Check eBay or Facebook Marketplace. You can snag a PC or mini PC for around $70-80. If it’s missing a bit.. say, extra RAM or an extra SSD drive, you can pick up these parts second-hand for cheap too.

All in all, you can set up your sovereignty machine for less than $100. It may not be fancy at first, but it’s yours, and you have the freedom to upgrade it over time. This is an investment in your independence.

Don't settle for cloud hosting if you want full control. Own it, upgrade it, and let it work for your future.

**Step 1: Prep your hardware.**

Install Ubuntu LTS. This reliable, open, and free OS is perfect for your node.

**Step 2: Get the node/relay software.**

Download the latest stable release for your chosen node or relay.

- For Bitcoin node software, check out [Bitcoin Core Documentation](https://bitcoincore.org/en/doc/);

- For Bitcoin Lightning, refer to [LND Documentation](https://github.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/blob/master/docs/INSTALL.md);

- For a Nostr relay, see [Nostr Relay Docs](https://github.com/fiatjaf/nostr-relay);

Follow the official documentation closely to avoid unreliable versions.

**Step 3: Install and configure.**

Run the installer and edit your config files.

Don’t panic :p

Stick to defaults at first, then customize as you get more comfortable. A well configured node makes sure your data is secure and transactions legit

**Step 4: Sync your node.**

Let your node download and verify all transactions and blocks. Warning: this process can take days or even weeks. Start this as early as possible. Grab a coffee, join relevant communities, and let your node do its thing

**Step 5: Test and secure.**

Double-check that your node is verifying transactions correctly. Set up firewall rules and disable unnecessary services. Think of your node as a vault.

Lock it down tight.

**Step 6: Monitor and maintain.**

Keep an eye on logs and resource usage. Use AI tools or ask in forums and communities if any issues pop up. Regular updates and tweaks might be a hassle, but they’re key to protecting your sovereignty.

And always remember, if it is working, don't touch it.

Like rewards? With Bitcoin Lightning, you can open channels and earn routing fees, boost decentralization, and even experiment with upgrades.

It’s a simple yet powerful way to stack some more sats. Anyways..

If you’ve got a cold, hard wallet, running your own node means you’re 100% your own bank. Signing and validating your own transactions. You control your data and funds, and no random fucker is calling the shots.

Imagine handling every transaction yourself.

Sure, you're not totally financially sovereign yet. there’s still missing pieces, like a card for living on the Bitcoin standard. But that's coming in future posts. Banks are a mess anyway, and soon you'll have no need for them.

Every step you take to run your node adds to your digital freedom and decentralizes the network more. Protect your funds, earn some sats, and keep your power in your hands.

**I just ask one thing from you:** please boost this post so it reaches more people, and keep the conversation going. It’s a bit lonely writing in the void with no reactions on the other side. Thanks for reading and for being part of this movement.

Yes, you can choose any 256-bit number as a Bitcoin private key (as long as it’s between 1 and 2^256‑1). However, coming up with a random number on your own isn’t safe because humans aren’t very good at making truly random choices and mistakes can happen easily. Plus, after picking your number, you still need to calculate the public key using complex math (elliptic curve multiplication), which isn’t practical to do by hand without software. That’s why people use wallet software or hardware wallets that generate keys securely and handle the math automatically.

How much will the size of the blockchain grow with this update? This is one of the biggest issues with Monero's architecture.

Fiat mining 😂

Hello. Look my post about how to grow on Nostr.

Thank you too for the boost. It helps a lot.

[AI Model](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=deepseek)

Hello! Communities are like the r/ on Reddit.

They are places where you can ask questions, share content, and talk about your experiences.

They also help you to reach more people here on Nostr

I have just used all the #zaps you sent me to buy AI Credits, which will help me create even more for you.

AI is very helpful for my daily tasks, including in-depth research, statistics, improving content, and speeding up my work. It also helps me create images for articles.

I will continue to reinvest more #zaps here and will keep you updated on how they are being used.

I am considering starting a public Lightning Network channel. I would love to hear your thoughts on this!

Still working on the "Simple Guide to Run your Nodes and be more #Sovereign"

I am enjoying writing this for you.

I consider satellite.earth much cheaper

Beautiful

Awesome. Feel free to share content in /n/Bitcoin

You should use a lightning custodial wallet and run your channels. Also, I don't like to have much bitcoin in lightning, when I have ~150k sats on LN I send it to On chain cold wallet

Use satellite.earth to upload it. It costs about 50 sats a month

Content first, zaps later. That's the law of life for.. Well, everything.

Happy Sunday.

So simple

That's strange. I don't know if it is an issue of mine, or most probably from Wallet of Satoshi