How to start with Bitcoin
A guide dedicated to oppressed Canadian people, start your Financial Sovereignty with Bitcoin. NOW!
Introduction
Bitcoin is power, the power to control your own money, without any bank, without intermediary, impossible to confiscate, it is the supreme property.
In addition to this, Bitcoin is energy. Energy stored in a mathematical process, impossible to break, forever. What do people need, day by day? Energy, in various forms (electricity, fire, food, clothing etc). Well, to have all these results of the process of generating products and services, you need to make an effort, which is called energy. Well, if you have Bitcoin, you have stored energy to get everything you need.
Bitcoin is limited to 21 million BTC, of which we already have 90% in circulation and in the next 120 years the rest of 10% will be mined (put into circulation). This means that over time, its value will always grow, its purchasing power will be more and more powerful. So spend it carefully, only when it's really needed.
The Bitcoin economy is not consumerist, it is a saving economy.
NEVER sell your BTC back for USD ($hitcoins), it would be a serious mistake that will be repeated later! Always try to earn BTC and spend BTC, never touch $hitcoin again.
Read - 21 reasons why Bitcoin will save the world
Read - Bitcoin Commandments
Read - Be your own bank using Bitcoin
Glossary:
Onchain - Bitcoin block chain, the "central bank" of each user, the public "accounting book", more expensive and slower transactions (txs).
Lightning (LN) - additional layer on chain, with liquidity channels between nodes, it is your own "commercial bank" or spending pocket, more private, with instant transactions (txs) and almost no transfer commission.
Wallets - wallet applications, where you practically store your private keys, used to be able to send and receive BTC/sats.
1 BTC = 100,000,000 sats - when we talk about txs onchain, we talk in BTC. When we talk about txs in LN, we talk about sats (satoshis).
seed - group of 12 or 24 words, from which the master private keys of a BTC wallet are cryptographically generated.
HWW - Hardware wallets, private key storage hardware devices
General tips
Read a lot and learn more about Bitcoin. Here is a basic list of Bitcoin resources and documentation (there are many more).
Bitcoin Lightning Network - video tutorial
DarthCoin Bitcoin Guides (this Substack)
Test wallet apps and solutions a lot
To learn, you have to practice a lot, only then you can control your own money. This power is learned little by little, but when you manage it well, life will be much easier. It is not just about having some BTC stored in an exchange or a custodial wallet. These are the custodians of your BTC and it is NOT okay! You always have to have your own custody of your funds, in your apps that you know how to manage them and control the private keys!
Get used to using apps
Trying and trying, in the end you are going to be left with 1-2-3 apps that do better and you understand it better. It is not indicated to have only one app. Get used to having your BTC in three levels, as I have explained in this guide - Be your own bank.
Start with the wallets that LN supports, to be able to test the payments in small amounts, but also in parallel to test the wallets that are only onchain (we will have a separate section on these).
Help others if they are in difficulties
That's right, just together and well educated on this topic, we can overtake. Only you know how to handle BTC well apps will not help you a lot if others do not know how to pay you at BTC. Help the children, especially, they are the future, helps the next one if it has difficulty handling an app. Teach him the right path, because his mistakes not only affects him, but also to others. Until most people learn well about Bitcoin, it will take long time, this is not easy, it is a change of mentality first.
There’s no “best wallet” to use
Yes, don’t look for that, it’s a fallacy to think that you will use just one wallet app and that one is the best. Each wallet app have its own capabilities, functionalities, options, better or worse. Each one can be used in a specific situation with a specific function, find the ones that are more adapted to your own usage type and never relay only one single app.
Steps for a normal user
a. Start with simple apps
For the total newbies, which are starting for the first time with Bitcoin, I recommend you start trying these wallets and also in this order, to see little by little the functionalities and understand the process, using small amounts.
Here you also have a simple guide explaining how to recharge LN wallets.
Will start with a list of wallet apps with Lightning Network already integrated.
1 - OBW (Open Bitcoin Wallet)
Lightning wallet (LN) and onchain, very simple, easy to use
It has Hosted Channels (Custodials), a very easy and quick way to start receiving SATS direct in LN, from the opening, with a limit of 2M SATS. Here a more detailed guide about the Hosted Channels, by Fanis.
has option to open LN channels with any other node and LSP
Supports Lightning Address, LNURL
Tor Option
Connect to own Electrum Server to sync blocks
Connect to HWW
Local backup of channels
Only on Android
2 - Bluewallet
A double wallet, Onchain and LN, also Vault (Savings), supports HWW
Coin Control, Fees Control
Support LN Adddress, LNurl, connect LNTXBOT
Supports connections to your proprio LNDHUB (in a private node)
Connect to Private Node, for the onchain Blockchain
Custodial LN wallet
Tor's option (use private network)
More options described in this dedicated guide with LNDHUB
Seed backup and LNDHUB
Advanced security, "plausible deniability"
Android, iOS, Mac (Desktop)
3 - MUUN
Simple and fast use for onchain and LN, the interface does not make a difference between the two.
The user does not have to worry about LN liquidity, MUUN servers are doing all the routing in background.
High costs of transactions, due to custody liquidity in LN Backup with seed
BE AWARE! This app, is “faking” to use LN, is foing all submarine swaps internally in their database/nodes and also is NOT supporting any LNURL protocol. Many are promoting it as LN wallet BUT IS NOT.
You do NOT control 100% the seed or private keys.
Android and iOS.
4 - Phoenix Acinq
One of the simplest and simplest to use, for beginners
Unique interface for Onchain and LN,
internal swaps using LN trampoline channels
High costs of transactions, by the opening of trampoline channels
Backup with the seed, possible import it into Electrum
Only on Android
5 - LNTXBOT
Telegram LN Bot for tips, custodial, with LN wallet functionalities
It can be imported as wallet LNDHUB in Bluewallet or Zeus
You can use it for paid content in Telegram, also hide private messages, sell books or other media
6 - Zebedee
Wallet for Gamers / Social, very simple and with good functionalities for use within games
Total custodial, KYC and dedicated to LN Connection with Exchanges (Bitstamp) for direct purchase in wallet
Supports Lightning Address, LNurl
Android, iOS.
8 - Coinos
Wallet Onchain and LN, Web Based, no need to install anything
Custodial but with option to export private keys
Access for multiple users (example an employee only with the option to charge)
Internal swaps onchain <-> LN, swaps with liquid
Supports LNurl, LN Address
Open Source, if you do not want custodial you can have your own instance
Very easy and fast for a small merchant
b. Level up when you already handle the basic
1 - Blixt Wallet
Very powerful application for users with a knowledge base on LN
Full node with synchronization by Neutrino (with public or private node)
Full node of LN, with many professional functions, channel control
LSP functionality, very easy to receive funds by LN from the first use also offering entry liquidity
Supports Lightning Address, LNurl, Keysend
has a contact agenda
Connection by Tor.
Seed backup and LN channels in local and cloud
Android, iOS
2 - Breez
Wallet focused on the use of LN, but with options for onchain too
LN channel handling, but with costs of initial openings
Functionality of POS, very good for small merchants
Participate in podcasts
Seed Backup and LN Channels
very limited for Android, but more for iOS
3 - Eclair Acinq (discontinued)
One of the first apps for LN in mobile devices
LN Full Node, Channels Management
Seed Backup and LN Channels
It is not maintained anymore for the developers, it has been replaced by Phoenix
Only Android
4 - Nayuta Core (in development new version)
Full node with synchronization by neutrino
To handle the Node LN you have to connect Zeus or ZAP to the Nayuta node
Very simple app, practically it's just one node
Seed Backup and LN Channels
It does not support Tor.
Android, iOS.
5 - Electrum
If you want the functionalities of the Electrum desktop wallet, here is your mobile brother, you can also use the same seed / desktop, but be aware, without sharing the same channels LN
Advanced features for hot, cold wallet (Watch-Only)
LN wallet handling with trampoline or normal channels (but private unpublished)
Connect to your own node to synchronize SPV Blockchain
Option of connecting by Tor (with external tor service)
Seed Backup and LN Channels
Android, Windows, Linux, Mac
c. Advance with more complex apps
Use your node as your own bank for family and friends, with solutions such as Bluewallet LNDHUB and also LNBits LNDHUB.
Here we mention the following apps to handle the funds of your LN and onchain nodes, handle LN channels and funds liquidity:
1 - Zeus
Double wallet, Onchain and LN, multiple types of wallet connections
Connect to your own node (LND, C-Lightning), channel handling
Connect to LNDHUB wallets
Supports Lightning Address, LNurl, NFC
Connect by Tor, integrated Advanced security, very good functionalities
Android, iOS.
2 - Zap
Double wallet, Onchain and LN
Connect to your own LND node, channel handling
Support LNurl.
Connect by Tor, integrated
Android, iOS, Desktop (Win / Mac / Linux)
3 - Spark
Double wallet, Onchain and LN
It works only with C-Lightning node
Basic in functionalities
Multiplatform (web based)
4 - Fully Noded
ode management (LND and C-LIGHTNING)
Basic functionalities of LN and onchain
Only for iOS and Mac
5 - Thunderhub
Advanced management of LND nodes, liquidity
Functions of LN and onchain wallet
Supports Chat, LN Address, LNurl, Keysend, LN Market
swap onchain <-> LN
Backup of LN channels
Multiplatform (web based)
6 - RTL (Ride The Lightning)
Advanced management of LND nodes, liquidity
Functions of LN and onchain wallets
swap onchain <-> LN
Backup of LN channels
Multiplatform (web based)
d. Wallet apps only onchain
This is a separate section, which is about presenting some apps only for the use of Bitcoin onchain.
Electrum
One of the best and easiest to use for this type of transaction. You have currency control, address labels, master password to enter the application, have control of changes, tariff control and other very good features, supports HWW. Now also the new version has LN support, so you can use trampoline channels or simply open Private LN channels with your own node. Very powerful app for Windows, Linux, Mac, Android.
Sparrow
Very powerful desktop application, with many functionalities, also with Coinjoin / Mixing and UTXO Control. Multiple accounts, import of other wallets and derivation formats, support from HWW. It does not have LN but it is a highly recommended app to manage and organize its funds as a real banker. App for Windows and Linux.
Specter
It is a desktop software application that connects to your Bitcoin Core node. Specter Desktop functions as a read-only coordinator for Bitcoin wallets of multiple firms and a single address / key. A very powerful and safe purse with support from HWW, for Windows and Linux.
Wasabi
One of the most powerful in terms of privacy of its BTC transactions. With this, you can manage the BTC you have purchased at the KYC Exchanges and want to do Coinjoin / Mixing. This is more for "advanced". Supports HWW, connect to your own node, by Tor, for Windows and Linux.
Samourai
Very good for greater privacy and control of coins/UTXOs, it is not compatible with LN but it has very advanced functionalities for Coinjoin and Mixing of funds, Paynym, Tor, connect to own node. Only for Android.
Green Wallet
Very good and safe, multisig, supports HWW, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Mac
Hexa Wallet
Multi Account, Easy Backup, includes Exchange to buy, Multisig, 2FA, Contacts, Batch Send and many more.
Nunchuk
Multisig wallet, safest self-custody solution, privacy oriented app, multi-device sync, air-gapped signing, software key, connect to own node, for all major platform OS.
Bitcoin Core
It is a wallet node, also with control of coins, labels and tariff control. But it is also for a little more advanced, and needs a lot of space on your hard drive because it is downloading a complete copy of the block chain, and always works with this copy, which then is also synchronized with the entire Bitcoin network. , Always downloading the last blocks. This wallet also serves to verify transactions and include them in the block chain. But this is done automatically, you as a user do not have to worry about this.
e . Exchanges - from where you could start obtaining Bitcoin
Strongly suggest to start by using non-KYC exchanges - KYCnot.me
Also a new type of totally private P2P exchange using RoboSats solution and Tor network, just launched a first trial here (open with Tor).
If you still want to use centralized and KYC exchanges and other type of methods, here is a list of curated and tested exchanges. But be aware - DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BTC ON THOSE EXCHANGES! Buy, withdraw, repeat.
Steps for small merchants or companies
Start with basic solutions including simple wallets to learn the basic about transactions and processes (see the first part of this guide).
Test 2-3 solutions for a while and see which is more adapted for your type of business or charging ways and transact with BTC.
Be all the time in contact with the developer of the solution and communicate any necessary doubt or improvement. Developers need this information to make the app / solution better.
Having your own node for the business and promoting your node so that your customers open LN channels towards your node, so you get more input liquidity and offer direct and free transactions with your customers.
Find the most appropriate way to get the funds from LN channels and save them in onchain, so you will have more space to receive more payments on your LN channels.
Pay employees and suppliers in BTC, create Bitcoin's circular economy and stop using the FIAT currency, stop “feeding the beast" (central banks and fucking banskters pouchers).
Guides for merchants and businesses:
How to start Accept Bitcoin in your business, a simple guide
Umbrel - Full node very simple to run and manage a node
Complete guide of full node types - choose the node that suits you
Lightning cleaning machine - Managing funds with privacy
Lightning liquidity guide - public and private use of funds
List of good nodes to connect and have routing liquidity
LNbits - Powerful fund management solutions and business applications
How to publish ads through Telegram with LNTXBOT
How to use Lightning Address (receive LN payments without invoice)
MAY THE ₿ITCOIN BE WITH YOU!
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