Owning My Bitcoin: My Journey to Running a Full Bitcoin & Lightning Node
Bitcoin has always fascinated me - not just as an asset, but as a tool for financial sovereignty and privacy. Over the years, I’ve experimented with running my own Bitcoin full node multiple times, but for a long time, I didn’t fully understand its utility beyond just altruistically supporting the network.
At one point, I even installed Lightning Network (BTC LN) on top of a full node, but without a clear use case, it felt more like an experiment than something I could actively benefit from. That changed when I dug deeper into the technical aspects of BTC LN, and I realized that running my own infrastructure wasn’t just about contributing to the network — it was about owning my Bitcoin, processing my own transactions, and extending that trust to others.
Why a Full Bitcoin & Lightning Node?
A Bitcoin full node allows me to verify transactions without relying on third parties. Instead of trusting centralized services to validate transactions, I now have full control over my BTC funds and privacy. But Bitcoin alone wasn’t enough — I wanted fast, low-cost payments without relying on exchanges or custodial wallets. That’s where Lightning Network came in.
By setting up my own BTC LN node, I can now:
✅ Process Bitcoin transactions instantly – No waiting for confirmations.
✅ Avoid high on-chain fees – Lightning allows for near-zero transaction costs.
✅ Route payments privately – Transactions can be relayed through TOR.
✅ Avoid centralized custodians – I hold my own keys, no intermediaries.
Building a Self-Sovereign Payment Infrastructure
This time, I didn’t just install a node — I built a usable and self-sufficient Lightning setup:
⚡ Full BTC node + Lightning Network – No need to trust third parties.
⚡ Initial liquidity + open payment channels – My node is ready to send & receive payments.
⚡ Connectivity via TOR & clearnet – Ensuring both privacy and accessibility.
⚡ BTCPay Server integration – Allowing private Bitcoin payments without intermediaries.
⚡ Integrated into Diamonds VPN – Offering my VPN users a private and trustless payment option.
This setup means I don’t just use Bitcoin — I actually own my Bitcoin and the infrastructure to transact with it. I’m not dependent on exchanges, custodial wallets, or centralized payment providers.
Offering Trust to My Community
Most Bitcoin users still rely on centralized platforms to store and send BTC. Exchanges and payment processors track transactions, require KYC, and control access. I don’t want to be part of that system.
That’s why I’m not just running a node for myself, I’m opening it up for others:
💎 Diamonds VPN users can pay directly through my BTC LN node.
🔗 Anyone can connect to my node and route payments through it.
🛠️ If you want to run your own node, I’m happy to help.
Bitcoin isn’t just about buying and holding, it’s about taking control of your financial future. Running my own node has been a long road, but now, I fully understand its value: owning your keys, verifying your own transactions, and offering trust to others who want to do the same.
If you want to connect to my Lightning node, try out private BTC payments, or just discuss running your own node, feel free to reach out. Let’s build a more private, self-sovereign Bitcoin network together.
🚀 Take control. Own your Bitcoin.