#Bitcoin Q&A: Why running a node is important

How important is it to be running a normal Bitcoin node or a Lightning Network node, as a user of bitcoin? Don't trust; verify. If you don't independently validate that your transactions have been confirmed, you are delegating responsibility to third parties to give you accurate information on the state of the blockchain, from infrastructure you don't control. The cost of light wallets is certainty. Decentralisation is important in every aspect of the network: chip manufacturing, mining equipment ownership, geographic distribution of mining and non-mining nodes, and variety in types of connections to the network.

This is a question from the patron-only live Q&A which took place on December 16th 2017. If you want early-access to talks and a chance to participate in the monthly live Q&As with Andreas, become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/aantonop

RELATED:
Decentralized Truth - https://youtu.be/XCVaabu3J04
Hardware, Software, Trustware - https://youtu.be/Etyjc1JdmFU
What is Consensus: Rules without Rulers - https://youtu.be/2tqo7PX5Pyc
Bitcoin: Where the Laws of Mathematics Prevail - https://youtu.be/HaJ1hvon0E0
Hard Promises, Soft Promises: Promoting Autonomy instead of Authority https://youtu.be/UJSdMFPjW8c
Forkology: A Study of Forks for Newbies - https://youtu.be/rpeceXY1QBM
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How do I choose a wallet? - https://youtu.be/tN6b62sEpsY
The Lightning Network (playlist) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
Running Lightning nodes and payment channels - https://youtu.be/ndcfBfE_yoY
Lightning and onion routing - https://youtu.be/D-nKuInDq6g
Lightning, full nodes, and miners - https://youtu.be/dlJG4OHdJzs
Misconceptions about the Lightning Network - https://youtu.be/c4TjfaLgzj4
The scaling rites of passage - https://youtu.be/rZi86_ovB3Y
Governance trade-offs in decentralised systems - https://youtu.be/dtwaW79Fj7c
How to get people to care about security - https://youtu.be/Ji1lS9NMz1E
HODLing and the "get free" scheme -
https://youtu.be/MhOwmsW1YNI
Is Bitcoin a democracy? - https://youtu.be/TC3Hq76UT5g

Andreas M. Antonopoulos is a technologist and serial entrepreneur who has become one of the most well-known and respected figures in bitcoin.

Follow on Twitter: @aantonop https://twitter.com/aantonop
Website: https://antonopoulos.com/

He is the author of two books: “Mastering Bitcoin,” published by O’Reilly Media and considered the best technical guide to bitcoin; “The Internet of Money,” a book about why bitcoin matters.

THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-Mon...

[NEW] THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v2: https://www.amazon.com/Internet-Money...

MASTERING BITCOIN: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Bi...

[NEW] MASTERING BITCOIN, 2nd Edition: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Bitc...

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