I used to think "I run a node" meant "I'm private," until I realised my wallet may have been requesting someone else's server the entire time without my knowledge. That is exactly why self-custody is important to me: it is more than simply keeping my own keys; it is about confirming my complete stack, including what my wallet is actually communicating with, rather than relying on a settings page. Running the node is the first step for me; auditing the connection is what makes it genuine.
I used to think "I run a node" meant "I'm private," until I realised my wallet may have been requesting someone else's server the entire time without my knowledge. That is exactly why self-custody is important to me: it is more than simply keeping my own keys; it is about confirming my complete stack, including what my wallet is actually communicating with, rather than relying on a settings page. Running the node is the first step for me; auditing the connection is what makes it genuine.