A complete node validates transactions and blocks in the Bitcoin network. This operation is carried out either by third parties, such as wallet providers, or by users themselves. Those who decide to operate a home node themselves usually do so because Bitcoins can be stored and sent more securely this way.
To run a Bitcoin node, you need the computing power of a Raspberry Pi and the storage capacity of a compatible and sufficiently large SSD hard disk. If you don’t want to bother with command-line tools for installation, you can use an Umbrel application. Step-by-step instructions on how to install the free software are available online.
The providers of the Umbrel operating system have now made the process even easier: in collaboration with hardware manufacturer “The Bitcoin Machines”, they have designed a server that contains the complete hardware configuration for a full Bitcoin node, a Lightning node or other self-hosted applications.
Umbrel CEO and co-founder Mayank Chhabra tweeted a photo of the new server. Since October 29, customers have been able to purchase it via The Bitcoin Machines online store. Prices start at 429 US dollars. The servers feature a 1.8-inch screen and are powered by a Raspberry Pi 4 with a 1.6 gigahertz quad-core processor and eight gigabytes of RAM.
In Germany, there are already a surprising number of operators of their own Bitcoin nodes. The Bitnodes website estimates the total number of nodes at over 12,000 (as of November 2021). In Germany alone, 1,785 of them are currently in operation. According to the site, this represents almost 15% of the network. This puts Germany almost on a par with the USA. Both countries are the undisputed leaders in Bitcoin node operation.
