How to build your own Bitcoin node

Why build your own node?

Buying a plug-and-play appliance is the fastest way to run a Bitcoin node, but building your own is cheaper, teaches you what each component actually does, and leaves you with hardware you can reuse or repair. This article is about the physical side of the project: which parts to buy, how they fit together, and what to do once the box is assembled. The reasons to run a node at all — verifying your own transactions, keeping your addresses private, enforcing the consensus rules you agreed to — are covered here:

Reasons to run your own Bitcoin node

What’s a Raspberry Pi?

A Raspberry Pi is a small, affordable, and versatile computer that is widely used for a variety of DIY and educational projects. Due to its low power consumption, compact size, and flexibility, it’s popular for running lightweight servers, media centers, smart home devices, and even Bitcoin nodes.

Step 1: Buy the parts

You will need to buy the following parts. You can buy them using the Amazon or AliExpress affiliate links in this article to support us.

Starter Kit: Raspberry Pi 4 + Case + Power Adapter

Pick a Raspberry Pi 4 with 8 GB RAM for maximum performance.

Some good options on Amazon:

• Vemico
• RasTech
• CanaKit
• Vilros

Some good options on AliExpress:

• DIYCHIP Store
• Shenzhen Colourful Store
• Nawei Store
• Geekdiytime Store

Starter Kit: Raspberry Pi 5 + Case + Power Adapter

Pick a Raspberry Pi 5 with 8 GB RAM for maximum performance. It syncs the blockchain noticeably faster than the Pi 4, so it is the better choice if you are buying from scratch.

Some good options on Amazon:

• Yahboom
• iRasptek
• CanaKit
• Vilros

Some good options on AliExpress:

• Homelover Store
• Geeksiytime Store
• Lovefon Store
• PiPiPi Store

Storage Drive

2 TB or more is recommended.

Some good options on Amazon:

• Crucial MX500
• Samsung 870 EVO
• SanDisk Ultra 3D
• Western Digital Blue SA510

Some good options on AliExpress:

• Samsung 870 EVO
• Kingston KC600
• KingSpec
• Orico

Storage Drive’s Enclosure

To connect the storage drive to the Raspberry Pi via USB.

Some good options on Amazon:

• ADATA ED600
• SABRENT
• BENFEI
• UGREEN

Some good options on AliExpress:

• Uthai
• Uthai Type C
• Uthai Transparent
• Yottamaster

microSD card

The microSD card is only used to run the firmware. All of your apps and data are stored on the storage drive. You will need a 32GB+ microSD.

Some good options on Amazon:

• SAMSUNG PRO Endurance
• Sandisk Ultra
• Lexar
• INLAND

Some good options on AliExpress:

• Lenovo
• Sony
• Oleovo
• Extreme Pro

MicroSD Adapter (Optional)

You will need to buy an adapter if your computer doesn’t have a MicroSD slot.

Some good options on Amazon:

• SanDisk MobileMate
• uni SD Card Reader
• Anker USB 3.0 SD Card Reader
• SmartQ C368

Some good options on AliExpress:

• 2 IN 1 Card Reader - elough
• NNBILI USB
• Olaf
• Toocki

Ethernet Cable(Optional)

You can connect your Raspberry Pi to the internet using Wifi or Ethernet. If you choose Ethernet, you will need an Ethernet cable to connect to your router.

Some good options on Amazon:

• Amazon Basics RJ45 Cat 7
• Vabogu Cat 8 Ethernet Cable
• DbillionDa Cat8 Ethernet Cable
• UGREEN Cat 8 Ethernet Cable

Some good options on AliExpress:

• CYANMI Cat8 Ethernet Cable
• UGREEN CAT8 Ethernet Cable
• Vention Cat8 Ethernet Cable
• D-Sunty Ethernet Cable CAT8

Step 2: Assemble the Node

Assembling the node is pretty easy. You need to:

• Put the Raspberry in its case
• Put the storage drive in its enclosure
• Connect the storage drive to one of the USB 3.0 ports. On the Raspberry Pi 4 they are the two blue ones; on the Raspberry Pi 5 they are the pair closest to the Ethernet connector, marked with the SS symbol
• Connect the Raspberry to your router using the ethernet cable
• Connect the power supply to the Raspberry. DON’T CONNECT THE POWER SUPPLY TO THE POWER YET

Step 3: Download the Firmware

Download the Bitcoin node firmware from the official website:

• Umbrel
• Start9
• MyNode
• Citadel
• RaspiBlitz

Step 4. Download Balena Etcher

Download and install Balena Etcher on your computer. It is required to flash the firmware file that you downloaded in the previous step onto the microSD card.

balenaEtcher - Flash OS images to SD cards & USB drives

Step 5. Plug the microSD card into your computer

You might need a card reader if your computer doesn’t have one. Here’s a good one on Amazon.

Step 6. Flash the Firmware

Open Balena Etcher and flash the downloaded firmware file on the microSD card. You need to follow these steps:

1. Pick the Flash from file option
2. Pick theSelect Target option
3. Check the SD Card and click on Select
4. Click on the Flashoption
5. When finished, you will see a Flash Complete legend.

Step 7. Insert the microSD card into the Raspberry

After the flash is successful, remove the microSD card from your computer and insert it into the Raspberry Pi.

Step 8. Power up

Power up the Raspberry Pi to turn it on.

Any existing data on the SSD will automatically be deleted when you turn on the Raspberry Pi.

Step 9. Wait until the node is accesible

After 5 minutes, your node will be accessible at a local url (http://umbrel.local, http://start.local, http://mynode.local, http://citadel.local , etc) on any device that’s connected to the same network as the Raspberry Pi. If you can’t access your Umbrel, you can use Angry IP Scanner to find the IP address and type that in the browser.

Visit our Website

Before you order anything, it is worth checking which distributions still support the board you are about to buy and which apps each one ships. Our Bitcoin Nodes Comparison TheBitcoinHole.com website compares supported hardware, bundled apps, Lightning implementations and licensing for every node we track.

Compare Bitcoin Nodes

Compare the top node platforms

Deciding which node software to run on your build? The two leading plug-and-play options are Umbrel and Start9. See how they compare on apps, firmware and hardware.

Umbrel vs Start9: which Bitcoin node wins?

Support Us

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• With Bitcoin Lightning using Alby
• With PayPal or a credit card using Ko-fi