How important is it to be running a normal Bitcoin node or a Lightning Network node, as a user of bitcoin? Don't trust; verify. If you don't independently validate that your transactions have been confirmed, you are delegating responsibility to third parties to give you accurate information on the state of the blockchain, from infrastructure you don't control. The cost of light wallets is certainty. Decentralisation is important in every aspect of the network: chip manufacturing, mining equipment ownership, geographic distribution of mining and non-mining nodes, and variety in types of connections to the network.

Chapters
0:00 Why running a node is important
3:33 Is it more important to have decentralisation among miners, nodes or both?
8:48 Is it possible to run a lightning node a few hours a day like a full node? Can a lightning node shutting down disrupt lightning transactions?
12:00 How can non-developers get involved with lightning?
14:24 The whitepaper emphasize the need for honest nodes to control the majority of CPU power, is there a way for me as a non-technical person to help secure the network?

This is a question from the patron-only live Q&A which took place on December 16th 2017. If you want early-access to talks and a chance to participate in the monthly live Q&As with Andreas, become a patron:   / aantonop  

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Andreas M. Antonopoulos is a technologist and serial entrepreneur who has become one of the most well-known and respected figures in bitcoin.

Follow on Twitter: @aantonop   / aantonop  
Website: https://antonopoulos.com/

He is the author of two books: “Mastering Bitcoin,” published by O’Reilly Media and considered the best technical guide to bitcoin; “The Internet of Money,” a book about why bitcoin matters.

THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-Mon...

[NEW] THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v2: https://www.amazon.com/Internet-Money...

MASTERING BITCOIN: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Bi...

[NEW] MASTERING BITCOIN, 2nd Edition: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Bitc...

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