There are wallets in their numbers that are safe enough for us to use, all we may have to do is by maintaining a perfect storage means for our private keys for using them, some good examples were as listed.

Passport
Electrum
Sparrow
Bluewallet

Running a full Bitcoin node is a great way to help support the network. But not everyone is capable of doing this. The amount of resources needed sometimes becomes a barrier to people struggling with their financial lives. 500GB of blockchain data might not sound like much, but in developing countries (third world) it does. Most people living in such countries can't afford to buy hard drives with large capacity to store such data. Not to mention the bandwidth requirements. Their only option would be to run an SPV node (light node). And that won't be much help to the network. Especially when nodes need to store the long history of Blockchain transactions for self-preservation of the Bitcoin network.

If this is the case with Bitcoin, forks with bigger block sizes (Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin SV) are even worse. I wouldn't recommend running a full Bitcoin node using the "Bitcoin Knots" software. Not after the developer wanted to censor Ordinals inscriptions. If you run it, you are supporting such censorship (which goes against Bitcoin's principles). Just my two sats.

You are absolutely right about the need to have your own personal running of your Bitcoin node. This is your security in as far as integrity and security of investments are concerned. Running node not only verifies your transactions, but it also aids in decentralization and transparency of the complete bitcoin network, enabling users to manage assets other than relying on third-party wallets.

While wallets like Ledger and Trezor can be very popular, it still requires some level of trust from developers. Using private nodes minimizes this reliance and increases the transparency. I'm glad you also mentioned the Sparrow wallet; it is nice to use and makes the process possible for node newbies to afford.

Overall, it fosters higher enlightenment regarding Bitcoin and tends to align with independent principles within the cryptocurrency space. It would be extremely important for anyone who really intends to invest in Bitcoin to consider these steps.


Resource requirements Both in terms of system administration and bandwidth. This can be a significant constraint for many people.

While running a full node is preferable for serving the network and preserving network integrity, offering an SPV node is more attainable. This still allows users to interact with the Bitcoin network while reducing the need for several resources in running full nodes, SPV nodes do not give safety and precision compared with full nodes. However, it can also make the user participate in the network. This has spread knowledge and use of Bitcoin in resource-poor areas.

I share your concerns with Bitcoin Knots and potential censorship - it is very important that it maintains the decentralized, censorship-resistant principles of Bitcoin. Communities need to pay attention to which program options are in place and their effects. For all the wrangling over node software, it speaks much to what is required in terms of transparency and adherence to core values embodied within Bitcoin.

Recently I have started to get less application for my challenge on Beginners & Help for running a Bitcoin node, so that tells me that a lot of people here are adverse to keeping one online. I processed about ~125 nodes, and I'm going to estimate the OGs around here are running about 75 in total so that makes it 200.

There's about 5000 posts a day here according to the stats page on the forum, and let's assume each user makes on average 5 posts, so that gives us 1000 users

So at best 20% of users here are running nodes.

PS. I see you've got an Alby address in your personal text. I've been waiting ages for the invite list to re-open, so would you mind referring me one? Thanks  

When I first found bitcoin, I mean right when I first started studying it, I started to read Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas, and this was back in the days where people running nodes is a lot more important that it is today.  I think it might have taken my laptop at the top ( though she was a beast of a laptop) about 1 entire week just to download bitcoin core.  It was an interesting little project but one I can't see myself taking on again.

Run and use a Bitcoin full node if possible and it's better if you use your node with Tor for broadcasting your transactions. If you can not do it, use change addresses and avoid resuse your addresses is good practice.

Care about privacy and be paranoid about privacy, it's personal privacy care and not all Bitcoin users care about privacy, but if they care about it, they can learn from Bitcoin Privacy Guides.

Op I will clarify you into two categories which are either your are in a place that you gave strong network and you can download things easy and fast. And also probably your country has a cheap internet connection data purchase. But as foe my country we have poor network and high cost of data purchase so it is not easy for someone from location to run a bitcoin node. I don't know if you have tried it. When I started this forum in the early stage, I was trying to run it from bitcoin core and only one day I deleted the software from the laptop. It consumes internet data. So I prefer using non Custodial wallet to keep my coins.

Unfortunately, this is true and somewhat applies to myself as well. I'm not technologically inept by any means, on the contrary, however, I had never messed with Bitcoin Core or running a node in the past. I set up my own after a challenge from a well-known member of the forum, which I currently don't remember their name. I did not find installation hard, and someone who does perhaps isn't suitable for the cryptocurrency world, because things are a little more advanced for the average PC user who browses the internet. Running a node isn't that complicated, on the contrary, and I believe more people could run their own.