What Is a Monero Node? (Plain-English Guide)
TL;DR
Stores the blockchain, verifies transactions/blocks, and relays them—so your wallet can sync privately. Not mining.
Quick Definition
- A Monero node is software (the monerod daemon) that connects to the Monero network, downloads and verifies the blockchain, and relays blocks and transactions to other peers.
- Your wallet talks to a node to learn about new blocks, check balances, and broadcast transactions.
Why Nodes Matter
- Security: Nodes independently validate consensus rules—no central authority decides which transactions are valid.
- Privacy: Using your own node reduces metadata shared with third-party servers (IP address, timing of requests).
- Reliability: A local node gives fast, consistent sync and broadcast—great for frequent users or merchants.
- Decentralization: More independently run nodes = stronger, more censorship-resistant network.
Types of Monero Nodes
- Full Node: Stores and verifies the entire blockchain. Highest assurance; requires more disk space and initial sync time.
- Pruned Node: Fully verifies everything but keeps only the most relevant historical data on disk, significantly reducing storage needs (with no loss of validation security).
- Remote (Public) Node: A node someone else runs. Your wallet can connect to it over the internet—convenient, but you share more network metadata unless you use Tor/I2P.
What a Node Actually Does
- Peers: Maintains connections with other nodes, exchanging blocks and transactions.
- Verification: Checks signatures, ring signatures, range proofs, and consensus rules before accepting blocks.
- Mempool: Holds pending transactions before they’re mined into a block.
- RPC Interface: Serves wallet requests (e.g., get new blocks, broadcast transactions). If you open RPC to others, use the restricted mode.
Running Your Own Node: Basics
- Hardware: Modern CPU, SSD storage, and a stable connection. Pruned mode cuts disk usage dramatically.
- Software: Download the official bundle (includes monerod and wallets) from GetMonero:
- Start it: Launch monerod. For smaller storage, enable pruning (e.g., a --prune-blockchain flag) and let it sync.
- Connect your wallet: Point your mobile/desktop wallet to localhost (your own node) or to a trusted remote node.
Privacy & Network Hygiene
- Use Tor/I2P: Route your node or wallet traffic through Tor/I2P to reduce IP-based linkage (check your wallet/node docs for proxy flags or onion/I2P options).
- Fresh subaddresses: Use a new subaddress per counterparty/app to compartmentalize activity (wallet feature).
- Don’t expose wallet RPC: Only expose node RPC in restricted mode if you must; never publish your wallet RPC to the internet.
Common Questions
- Full vs. Pruned—what’s the trade-off? Both fully validate. Full keeps all history on disk; pruned keeps much less, saving space with negligible day-to-day downside for most users.
- Can I “earn” by running a node? Not directly. Nodes don’t get block rewards—miners do. You run a node for privacy, reliability, and to help the network.
- Is a public node safe? Many are fine for casual use, but a third party can observe timing and network metadata. For best privacy, use your own node, ideally over Tor/I2P.
Monero Node vs. Mining
Monero node runs monerod to verify and relay transactions/blocks, enforce consensus rules, and keep the blockchain (full or pruned); it boosts privacy when you use your own node but pays no rewards.
Mining runs RandomX on your CPU (e.g., with XMRig) to create new blocks and earn block rewards/fees; pool mining doesn’t require your own node, while solo mining needs a fully synced local node.
You can run a node without mining, or do both on one machine.
Best Practices Checklist
- Verify binaries from GetMonero before installing.
- Use an SSD for faster sync and better performance.
- Back up your wallet seed (not the node database). Your seed—not the node—controls funds.
- Keep software updated to the latest release for performance and consensus fixes.
Helpful Resources
- GetMonero.org (official site)
- Running a Monero Node (official guide)
- More user guides (wallets, nodes, pruning)
