The bullish case for Noderunners

Now that privacy is on the verge of being outlawed is the best time there has ever been to set up and run your own Bitcoin node.

This is probably going to sound like a sales pitch because it's coming from me, but that's really not the intention of this post.

It doesn't matter which node implementation you choose, just choose the one you want or whatever is the most convenient for you to get started. Run Core, run Knots, run Start9, run BTCpayServer, Parmanoodle, Citadel, my god, even Umbrel if you must.

The important thing is that it's YOUR node.

Think about it. We have ~18000 Bitcoin nodes online which is a laughable number when you compare it to the number of people on Nostr, Bitcoin talk and Twitter. At least three of those 18k are mine, and I suspect more people run multiple nodes, so the actual number of noderunning individuals is probably another magnitude smaller.

These Noderunners are serving the network, but much more importantly, they can verify that they get real Bitcoin when receiving UTXOs. And they can do so independently, over Tor, which means that, to this day, no one can stop them from doing so. With privacy services shutting down and wallet apps disappearing from appstores in certain jurisdictions, having your own money transmitter might not only come in handy, it could be the only way to transact if you have to.

No one knows what's going to happen next, but don't make the mistake to think the EU won't follow suit. Be prepared for the when your favorite wallet shuts down. Practice recovery with Sparrow or a similar wallet which allows you to connect to a node which is behind Tor. Preferably your own, but Uncle Jim Nodes work too. Ask your friends if you can't run your own.

At this point in time, individual Noderunners have not been targeted, because it's hard and the effort mostly outweighs the benefits for the gubberment, so far... And with every node coming online, it gets harder to take Bitcoin down. Which in return strengthens each and every one of us. A critical mass of NodeRunners is an unstoppable force, I don't claim to know when that critical mass is reached, but I am fucking sure it's not 18000.

So, what to do now? Bust out your Raspberry Pis, RockPros, old Laptops, iMacs, PCs. whatever you have and get to work. Build a node, run it and learn to connect to it. Do it before you need it. There's no need for a clearnet connection if you're not selling stuff or are otherwise uncomfortable with linking your public IP. Running it behind Tor is absolutely fine. No need for lightning either (but it's fun if you want to).

Too dystopian for you? GFY and take a look around. It's going to get worse before it can get better.

What would you like to see in the Alby Extension 4.0? 🤔🌟😎

Full throttle!!!

IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE DIRECTION THINGS ARE HEADING. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

TALK IS CHEAP.

Gonna tell my kids this was a crypto exchange

why do we struggle with addresses and bolt12 and stuff when keysend works?

I'm clearly missing something basic right?

"Interesting perspective! Do you think there should be a different system for funding public services, or do you believe taxes are necessary for a functioning society?" #taxes #publicservices #debate

Hope you’re paying your taxes.

"I personally do not recommend going back to ANY Google apps, not even using Aurora Store."

You wouldnt do this on a separate profile either? For us mere mortals we still have a fuckload of government and traditional bank apps we need to access.

These even require google play, as they wont work from aurora store.

I have a profile for regular daily use. Basically only have protonmail and primal on it. No link to my identity.

Then a profile for bitcoin specific stuff.

A profile for Aurora apps, which is google apps that work without being logged in to google.

And a profile for full blown google, where Im logged in to google play with a doxxed account. This is the one for government apps and bank apps etc.

Thoughts?

How’s the development of it?, don’t see much movement on the iOS side or are they just that good and don’t have much maintenance

Taxation is theft. Of both your time and your money.

And even then they have the gall to demand full transparency over every cent you earn or spend.

Is there anywhere on the planet you can go and just be left the fuck alone?!?