10 sats \ 9 replies \ @DarthCoin 13 Sep 2023 \ on: Why we must download all the blockchain blocks to run a node ? bitcoin
You don't have to.
You could use Neutrino or SPV sync or even trustedcoin plugin by fiatjaf
https://github.com/nbd-wtf/trustedcoin
This.
Also, if you already have downloaded the whole blockchain and are spinning up another node for whatever reason, you can just strait copy the blockchain files from one node to the other.
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What are the downside of this
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all depends what do you want to do
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Self custody
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long term? short term?
cold storage?
LN node?
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Mid-term
Ln node
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For a LN node, especially if is a public node, is better to have full sync.
But if you run it on a limited machine, you could use those mentioned methods. LN only needs to link to a source of blocks to verify and sync the graph and txs. Nothing else.
Also if you have a private LN node, you don't really need to run a full BTC node and a LN node.
Check my guides about private LN nodes:
https://darthcoin.substack.com/p/private-lightning-nodes
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Good
So i can self custody without downloading hundred of Gbs
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exactly.
I wrote several guides about these scenarios on my substack (over 60). Please take your time and read them.
I am not saying that running a full node is not good, but contrary. But also depends in which situation. Not always you need to run a full node.