Nodes are an important part of the Monero network infrastructure. Nodes simply store a copy of the blockchain. They can optionally be configured to share this information with other nodes and clients. Running a node is the only way to get the highest level of privacy and security when connecting to the Monero network. In Monero, the program for running a full node is called the “daemon”.
Running a full node will use a decent amount of storage (currently ~30GB, increasing over time) and bandwidth. It will likely take several days to sync the entire blockchain from scratch, even if you have fast hard drive and a fast connection. The amount of bandwidth used will vary based on your internet speed and other settings. The commands to configure these settings are at the end of the guide. Monthly bandwidth use can vary from about one hundred gigabytes per month to several terabytes.
Many people run the daemon from a terminal interface, especially if they are running a VPS. You may also want to do this if you want to stay in-sync without keeping the wallet open.
This guide will cover using Windows, Mac, and Linux. This assumes you have a 64-bit operating system. If your computer was made since 2005, it is likely 64-bit.
If You Already Have the GUI Running (All Operating Systems)
If you are running the official Monero GUI, it will prompt you to run the daemon locally by default. This is the same as running a full node. Specify “localhost” as the daemon address in settings and click “start daemon”. You can manually specify daemon options in the “daemon startup flags” if desired. The GUI should start and stop the daemon process automatically.
Run a Monero Node on Windows
Download the latest version from here.
Extract the contents of the .zip file that is downloaded. To do this, you can simply double-click on the .zip file, click on the extract tab in the ribbon, and then the “extract all” option. Choose a folder to extract these to, making sure to remember it.
You can run the daemon with all the default options by simply running “monerod.exe”. If you would like to include options, it’s best to create a batch file.
To create a batch file, open notepad by searching for it in the start menu. Type in the following:
monerod.exe
Append additional options after monerod.exe. Eg: monerod.exe --limit 1000
monerod.exe --limit 1000
Save the file in the same folder that monerod.exe is located in. When saving, change the “save as type” to “all files (*.*)”. Name the file “Run monerod.bat”. The name can vary, but make sure that it ends in .bat.
You can run the daemon by double-clicking on the created .bat file. This will; run monerod.exe with the chosen options.
Run a Monero Node on Mac
Download the latest version from here.
Extract the contents of the downloaded file, and open a terminal by searching for it in applications. Navigate to the extracted file location. If you saved it to Documents, for example, use:
cd ~/Documents
Run the following command, appending additional options at the end if desired:
./monerod
Run a Monero Node on Linux (Ubuntu 16.04)
For the sake of this guide, working with local Ubuntu installations and VPS installations, it will use the terminal using root. If you are not using root, insert “sudo ” before commands if there are permission errors.
Start by downloading the Monero daemon files:
wget https://downloads.getmonero.org/cli/linux64
This will download a .tar.gz file that needs to be extracted. Create a new folder and extract it with the following two commands:
mkdir monerotar -xjvf linux64 -C monero
Navigate to the new folder with the extracted files. Note: the version number may change.
cd ./monero/ls
The “ls” command will show another folder wherein the daemon files are contained. The folder should be named “monero-v0.11.1.0” or similar. Type this exact folder name that is shown as you navigate. It may be different than the exact command below if the version has changed!
cd ./monero-v0.11.1.0
You are now in the folder with the daemon files. You need to make sure the file is executable.
chmod +x ./monerod
You can now run the daemon. However, if you want to make sure it runs in the background, you should use screen. Screen is a program that allows a simple management of multiple terminals. Install the program:
apt-get install screen
Open a new terminal session for running the daemon:
screen -S monero
Navigate to the folder and run the daemon (appending options to the end if necessary):
./monerod
Do not close the terminal if you want the session to continue in the background. Instead, detach from the screen session. Hold the control key, press A, then D like so:
Ctrl + a + d
To reattach to the screen, use the following command:
screen -r monero
Opening Up the Monero Daemon
If you are familiar with torrents, downloading data from others is called “leaching”, and uploading data to others (contributing) is called “seeding”. With the Monero blockchain, this functions in a similar way. If you are on a firewalled network, you will only be “leaching” from the network. Let’s walk through how to set up your client so that you can contribute to the network!
The Monero daemon uses the following ports:
- - 18080 TCP for incoming connections
- - 18081 TCP for incoming RPC connections (can be configured to a different port with --rpc-bind-port)
- - 53 UDP for DNS (optional)
If you are on a home network, the method to open ports will vary significantly based on the router you have. However, it comes down to giving the device running the daemon a static local IP address and opening up the desired ports. Search for your specific router model and instructions. There is likely another simple guide available to do this.
If you are on a hosted network (eg: VPS), the provider typically will have ports open, so all you may need to do is configure your firewall. For Ubuntu, you can use a tool called iptables. Install iptables and UFW if not already installed:
apt-get install iptables ufw
If using IPv6 (skip this command if you are not sure), run the following command and change the IPV6 line to IPV6=yes:
nano /etc/default/ufw
Open a specific port on the firewall with ufw allow [PORT]/[TYPE]. In this example, we will prepare the node to be compatible with MoneroWorld services, so we will open ports 18080 and 18089.
ufw allow 18080/tcpufw allow 18089/tcp
If you are on a non-configurable network (eg: public WiFi, apartment with provided internet), you will need to communicate with your internet provider to open a port for you. They may have a process in place, or they may disallow open ports.
You should make your node contribute more to the Monero network if you can! We recommend participating in the MoneroWorld service.
Additional Monero Daemon Options
Below are some popular daemon options. Please ignore all brackets [] and the help text after #. You will need to replace these with your own values.
--rpc-bind-ip [IP ADDRESS] # Binds the daemon to an IP address. You need to use your external IP if you plan to access this daemon from outside the internal network, or an internal one if you only want it to work for devices in the same network. If you are unsure about whether to use internal or external, you most likely want to use the external IP address. You can find this by using the IP address the VPS provider gave you or by searching for it with a site such as ipleak.net.--rpc-bind-port [PORT] # Binds the daemon to a port. Keep in mind the daemon will be unsafe unless this option is also run with --restricted-rpc. The default option is 18081, though some services (such as MoneroWorld) use 18089.--restricted-rpc # Restricts the actions that external users can perform when they are connected to the node over RPC. You will typically want to use this option.--confirm-external-bind # A required verification if using RPC bind options.--rpc-login [USERNAME]:[PASSWORD] # Restricts use of the node to users who know the username and password. Make sure to use a strong password.--limit [KB/s] # Limits the total download and upload limit to a certain value in kilobytes per second. Eg: 128 would set the maximum upload and download speed to one megabit per second.--limit_up [KB/s] # Limits the total upload speed to a certain value in kilobytes per second.--limit_down [KB/s] # Limits the total download speed to a certain value in kilobytes per second.--data-dir [LOCATION] # Saves the blockchain to a manual location by file path. Can be used to save the blockchain in another folder on one hard drive or even another hard drive or flash drive.--db-sync-mode safe # Syncs the blockchain in a way that avoids corruption. This is much slower, so it’s typically best to run with the normal parameters without worrying about a very small chance of corruption.--out-peers [NUM] # Sets the max number of outgoing peers (ones you connect with). The default is 8.--block-sync-size [NUM] # Sets the number of batched blocks. The default is 20. If you are having issues syncing the blockchain, try reducing the number to 10.--db-salvage # Try using this command if your database becomes corrupt.--add-peer [IP]:[PORT] # Manually adds a peer by IP address and port.
FAQs
Can you make money running a Monero node? ›
You can earn money (in the form of monero) by mining with your node, which is based both from transaction fees and the inherent block subsidy.
What is the size of a full Monero node? ›The Monero blockchain is always growing so there is no fixed size. As of 2022, the full blockchain is around 140-150GB. A pruned blockchain is about 50GB. Check out Moneropedia entry pruning to learn the difference between a full and a pruned blockchain.
Are Monero remote nodes safe? ›Be aware that using public remote nodes can be risky. Node operators can link transactions to IP addresses. These risks can be mitigated, but you should always avoid using them if you have the possibility.
Can the IRS track Monero? ›When you buy a cryptocurrency for fiat currency (such as USD or GBP) as mentioned above, the government can see this and even if they didn't there is always a chance they will. Until your funds are on Monero the transactions can and will be traced back to you.
Is owning a node profitable? ›So, can you make money running a lightning node? The most obvious answer is “Yes,” but your profit might not necessarily be expressed in satoshis. You can earn BTC by forwarding transactions from other Lightning nodes through your node.
Which CPU is best for Monero mining? ›Almost any CPU can be used for mining Monero. However, if you wish to purchase a new CPU, select either the Intel Xeon or AMD Opteron CPUs. The Xeon L5640 has a hash rate of 130 H/s, while AMD Opteron has a hash rate of 415 H/s. Always remember that mining Monero using your CPU isn't the most profitable of processes.
Should I run a Monero node? ›To independently have the ability to send/receive/verify transactions while maintaining the highest privacy and security, you will want to run your own node. If you do not run your own node, you are relying on other's nodes to verify and send your transactions.
Is it profitable to mine Monero with CPU? ›Rewards of mining Monero
As of January 2021, miners receive 1.26 XMR for every block they add to the blockchain and a new block is mined every 2 minutes. Depending on your CPU/GPU, this can amount to around $0.45 to $1 in profitability, per day per mining system. Usually, coins have a circulation hard cap.
The minimum stake required to run a single node is 15,000 POKT. The initial amount of POKT needed to stake as a node is not dynamic, but can be raised or lowered by the Pocket DAO to ensure a stable barrier to entry and adjust for changes in POKT price.
How long does it take to mine 1 Monero on CPU? ›Do you know how long it takes to mine one Monero coin? A Monero block is mined every 2 minutes, and we know that the current reward for mining transaction block is 4.99 XMR. So, by doing the simple math, we know that 1 XMR is mined every 24 seconds.
How fast can you mine 1 Monero? ›
As of Sunday, February 12, 2023, it would take 165.6 days to mine 1 Monero at the current Monero difficulty level along with the mining hashrate and block reward; a Monero mining hashrate of 42,000.00 H/s consuming 450.00 watts of power at $0.10 per kWh, and a block reward of 0.65 XMR.
Why do criminals use Monero? ›Monero's prevalence in the cybercrime world mostly comes down to one key component of its design: anonymity. Of course, the vast majority of cybercriminals want to remain anonymous at all times to evade the authorities, so it's expected for these malicious individuals to do what they can to conceal their identity.
Will Monero ever be traceable? ›CipherTrace's tool will allow its users to track stolen Monero or identify Monero used in illicit transactions and notifies digital currency exchanges when an individual is trying to send the privacy-centric coin from illicit sources to their exchanges.
Can you avoid taxes with Monero? ›If you are a US citizen, you will have to pay taxes on all your cryptocurrency holdings, regardless of which coin is in question. However, Monero is a good choice because its transactions cannot be traced. So if you are not paying taxes on your gains, then Monero is a good option for you to store your Bitcoin.
Do hackers use Monero? ›This is why more hackers are turning to coins like dash, zcash, and monero, which have additional anonymity built into them. Monero, in particular, is increasingly the cryptocurrency of choice for the world's top ransomware criminals.
Has Monero ever been hacked? ›In the case of Monero, hackers had compromised the official website and download servers and replaced the file with their own version, laced with malware used to transfer funds from people”s wallets.
Why is Monero not traceable? ›Monero transactions are confidential and untraceable.
The sender, receiver, and amount of every single transaction are hidden through the use of three important technologies: Stealth Addresses, Ring Signatures, and RingCT. Because every transaction is private, Monero cannot be traced.
As of Jan 27, 2023, the average monthly pay for an Entry Level NODE JS Developer in the United States is $8,601 a month.
What does it cost to run a node? ›So, the node alone costs $0.125 per day to run.
How do I run my own node? ›To run a node, you can download the Bitcoin Core software and let it copy the entire blockchain from other nodes, and then your node will be ready to verify each block itself. To set up a new node, you need to go through the IBD (Initial block download) that enables node synchronization to the network on the first run.
Can I mine Monero with my phone? ›
You can actually use the CPU of your own computer to mine it, and Monero works with all major operating systems. This will save you a lot of money in fees and charges. Why We are Mine Monero? Monero Now Price is about 259$ and you can Mine with different ways, like android device, PC or Laptop CPU, or GPU.
What is the fastest Monero miner? ›AMD EPYC 7742
AMD EPYC is one of the most powerful server processors to mine Monero with a CPU. When mining Monero, it achieves a hash rate of 44,000 hashes/second with a power consumption of 225 watts. This makes AMD EPYC 7742 one of the fastest processors for Monero mining.
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. ...
- ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT. ...
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super. ...
- AMD Radeon RX 580. ...
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070.
By running your own node and connecting a bitcoin wallet to it, you can verify transactions you receive. Running your own node enables this by storing a local copy of the bitcoin ruleset and blockchain which you know to be valid. This lets you independently ensure that the bitcoin you receive are legitimate.
Why is Monero mining not profitable? ›Profitable Bitcoin mining is no longer attainable for average individuals. Monero fixes this issue by being ASIC-resistant. It uses an Algorithm called RandomX that strongly reduces the efficiency of ASICs, making them not profitable for miners.
Is running a node the same as mining? ›A bitcoin node vs miner is both important for the health of the Bitcoin network, but they have different roles. Miners are responsible for verifying transactions and adding them to the blockchain, while nodes keep a copy of the entire blockchain and relay transactions.
How many Monero are left? ›| Denominations | |
|---|---|
| Block reward | XMR 0.6 |
| Block time | 2 minutes |
| Block explorer | xmrchain.net |
| Circulating supply | ~XMR 18.21 million |
Answer: Monero is the easiest cryptocurrency to mine now because it can be mined via browser extensions and free software over websites. It is even mined via crypto jacking. The mining code can also easily be incorporated into apps and websites to facilitate mining.
Is mining worth it 2023? ›Crypto mining is still profitable, but it's potentially not as profitable as it was in years past. That's true for a number of reasons, including the fact that for most of 2022 and into early 2023, crypto values were down way off their peaks.
How much strong is 1 node? ›Setting up or launching a node costs 10 STRONG tokens plus gas fees. Each node is then rewarded with 0.091 STRONG tokens, which can serve as a source of passive income.
What equipment do I need to run a node? ›
Desktop or laptop hardware running recent versions of Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux. 7 gigabytes of free disk space, accessible at a minimum read/write speed of 100 MB/s. An unmetered connection, a connection with high upload limits, or a connection you regularly monitor to ensure it doesn't exceed its upload limits.
How much strong does a node make a day? ›A STRONG node currently costs 10 STRONG tokens to set up, and gives out . 091 STRONG daily as a reward.
How can I mine 1 Monero per day? ›- None.
- Monero is mined with Cpus. To mine monero you need CPus with as many cores as you can get, and big level 3 cache. ...
- My Ryzen 9 3900x mines at 13khash/s,
- Here you can see the speed of different cpus:
- Xmrig is a popular miner for randomx Monero mining.
It is very easy to solo mine with the official GUI. If you have not done so already, go to the Monero downloads page and download the official GUI for your operating system.
How much RAM do you need to mine Monero? ›Fast mode - requires 2080 MiB of shared memory. DDR3 memory is limited to about 1500-2000 H/s per channel (depending on frequency and timings) DDR4 memory is limited to about 4000-6000 H/s per channel (depending on frequency and timings)
Why is Monero difficulty so high? ›If the number of miners increases, the network hashrate goes up. The effective block find time becomes lower than the preset value. As a result, the network gradually increases its difficulty, that is, the difficulty of a problem that miners are solving.
Is GPU mining XMR profitable? ›XMR mining is profitable
Depending on your CPU/GPU, this will quantity to around $0.45 to $1 in profitability, per day per mining system. Coins usually have a most circulation limit. For example, Bitcoin incorporates a restricted offer of twenty one million coins.
This is in contrast to Bitcoin, in which a wallet address can be used to identify users. However, even so-called privacy coins like Monero can be traced by law enforcement.
Can Monero be audited? ›Auditing a Monero Node. Catallaxy is delighted to announce the integration of the Monero blockchain (XMR) into our cryptocurrency audit practice. We have both onboarded Monero's software and successfully completed our assessment of risks to financial statements.
What is the IRS bounty on Monero? ›IRS Will Pay Up To $625,000 If You Can Crack Monero, Other Privacy Coins.
Will Monero get delisted? ›
The tokens that will be delisted on Sept 19 include Zcash, Monero, Dash, Decred, Firo, and Verge. Unlike Bitcoin or Ether, privacy tokens such as Monero are designed to avoid tracking.
Why doesn t Coinbase have Monero? ›Coinbase CEO explained on a podcast why the exchange hasn't listed Monero. CEO Brian Armstrong said regulators have expressed discomfort with privacy coins. He said they have a more conservative approach to listing than Binance or Kraken.
Is Monero legal in the US? ›Is Monero Illegal? Monero is not an illegal cryptocurrency. Unlike others, it is a privacy-oriented cryptocurrency that provides users with anonymity. This means it is not traceable.
Can you make money hosting a node? ›Run a Lightning Node
Unfortunately, running a Lightning node usually generates very little income. Because fees tend to be low, those who run a node might only make a few dollars per month in Bitcoin, or less. Most participants who do run Lightning nodes do so to support the use of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange.
Is Monero mining still profitable? Yes, mining Monero is still profitable - based on the mining hardware hashrate of 42,000.00 H/s, electricity costs, and pool / maintenance fees provided.
How profitable is XMR mining? ›Rewards of mining Monero
As of January 2021, miners receive 1.26 XMR for every block they add to the blockchain and a new block is mined every 2 minutes. Depending on your CPU/GPU, this can amount to around $0.45 to $1 in profitability, per day per mining system. Usually, coins have a circulation hard cap.