DON’T TRUST, VERIFY AND BECOME BITCOIN
In the Bitcoin community, there is a phrase “don't trust, verify,” and it is a running theme throughout the decentralized technology. The idea that a pristine asset such as Bitcoin combined with the plethora of elaborate scams designed to separate you from your Bitcoin… Why trust anyone with validating your transactions when you could do it yourself?
“Don't trust, verify.”
When you make a payment with Bitcoin, a copy of that transaction is sent to the Bitcoin blockchain to be verified. This process is executed and maintained through a network of volunteer computers running what is known as a “full node.” So what is a full node you may ask? Well, In simple terms, it is a copy of the full transaction history of the Bitcoin Blockchain going back to the very first transaction on Jan. 12, 2009, when Satoshi Nakamoto sent 50 BTC to Hal Finney in block 170.
When working with a node, any completed transaction you make, you can immediately verify on the Blockchain without sending that transaction to another node for verification. Thus giving you even more control over your money whilst making the network stronger.
Running a Bitcoin full node is an exciting side project to do during your free time. It’s a fun way to get your hands dirty, experience the journey of building a Bitcoin full node, and also gain exposure to Linux. There are tons of resources online regarding what you would need to start your journey. To those interested, one of the simplest tutorials I've found is through getumbrel.com. It lists everything you need to know, from hardware to software, and explains how everything comes together.
The network is growing bigger and stronger than ever and you could have your very own node set up within a few hours! Once you are up and running you will then have access to many different apps that you can work directly through your node like Lightning Wallet and Sphynxchat to name a few.
Running a full node in the Bitcoin network is, and will inevitably be, a big part of the future of Bitcoin. And the users in the network will become part of it, making it faster, stronger, and more secure. Furthermore, users will have a vote in what changes will come for the Bitcoin protocol. So are you looking to further your education in cryptocurrency? Do you want to help secure the money of the future? Or do you simply want to be part of something much larger than yourself? Consider becoming a node on the Bitcoin network.
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