Why Tor isn’t optional

Did you know you can run a full Bitcoin node without exposing your IP address? 🌐

Using Tor isn’t just for “whistleblowers” — it’s basic digital hygiene for anyone who values privacy. When your node connects via Tor, third parties — from your ISP to passive observers — cannot link your physical identity to your participation in the network of sound money.

The setup is simpler than you think:

bitcoind -proxy=127.0.0.1:9050 -listenonion

This announces your node on Tor’s onion network, and all peer-to-peer traffic routes anonymously.

This step isn’t “optional extras”. It’s part of the responsibility that comes with using truly open, verifiable money. 💡

In my next live session (Wednesday 28, 15:00 UTC), I’ll walk you through setting up your own secure node from scratch — and why this is a practical step toward using sound money responsibly. Payment via Lightning. All you need: an old computer and genuine curiosity.