Bitcoin Basics
Running Your First Bitcoin Node
You don't truly use Bitcoin until you verify it yourself. A plain-English guide to standing up your own node this weekend.
8 min read
Running a node is the single highest-leverage thing you can do to take back control of your money. Here's how to start.
Why run a node at all?
A node lets you verify the rules of the network yourself instead of trusting someone else's word. It is the difference between believing and checking.
What you'll need
- A small dedicated computer or a Raspberry Pi.
- A 1TB+ SSD.
- A weekend and a little patience.
The high-level steps
Install the software, let it download and verify the chain, and point your wallet at your own node. That's the whole game.
