Bitcoin Full Node Considerations

I've been toying with the idea of starting a bitcoin full node. Discussion with a compadre has lead to him saying it's a bad idea because there is too much bad associated with bitcoin and people should not seek this level of trouble in their activities of daily computing.

Indeed, a general service node with universal access is somewhat anathema to my existence given my penchant for firewalling at the drop of a hat, honeypots, tarpits, booby traps, and the like.

HOWEVER, the thought of a business venture such as this just entices me to take the plunge given the fact that I'll have an extra box or two hanging around quite soon now.

Bitcoin, that digital currency untied to banks and governments continues to make the tech news these days. It's chief attraction is permitting users to spend money anonymously.

I know there are a few things I would like to purchase with anonymity.

Coins are created by users via a "mining" process whereby lending computing power to verifying other user transactions cause them to be earned in exchange.

Coins also can be bought and sold on exchanges with various other currencies. Their value has fluctuated since inception and is down from 2013 levels of 1100$US to the present 445$US.

Lack of formal regulation has obsurred the legality of the currency and it's transactional base. It's a difficult matter to trace transactions and this has brought it to the detrimental attention of law enforcement who cite hackers demanding them in payment for release from ransomware.

Be all of this as it may, New York state has approved a license for a company which does business in bitcoin.

Perhaps with the advent of the bitcoin creator identifying himself, this new modality in fiscal affairs has finally become ready for the mainstream world.