By XMRWallet Team · Published · 5 min read
The Monero network is a peer-to-peer system — there is no central server, no company operating the infrastructure, and no single point of control. Instead, the network depends on a distributed web of devices that all share data with each other. Each device participating in the network is called a node. Nodes retain a complete copy of the Monero blockchain, validate transactions and blocks, relay information to other nodes, and serve blockchain data to wallets. The more nodes distributed across diverse operators, the more resilient and censorship-resistant the network.
Local Nodes (Running Your Own)
Anyone with a Monero wallet needs to connect to a node to send and receive XMR and to synchronize their wallet with the current state of the blockchain. The most secure and private option is to run your own local node — also called a full node.
With a local node, your wallet interacts only with your own personal copy of the blockchain. You do not depend on any third party to validate or relay your transactions. No external node can observe which addresses or transaction IDs you query, or identify when you use Monero. Running a local node also allows you to contribute to the network — other nodes can sync from yours, and other users can connect their wallets to your node.
Requirements for a full local node (as of early 2026):
- Disk space: The Monero blockchain exceeds 200 GB as of early 2026. A full node requires at least 250 GB of free disk space to accommodate continued growth.
- Pruned node alternative: If storage is limited, a pruned node stores only a subset of blockchain data — significantly reducing disk requirements while still contributing to the network. A pruned node cannot be used for mining.
- Mining requirement: Running a full (non-pruned) local node is required if you intend to mine XMR.
Setting up a local node is primarily of interest to advanced users. A comprehensive setup guide is available from privacy advocate sethforprivacy.com and in the official Monero user guides.
Remote Nodes (Connecting to Others')
For users who do not want to maintain a local node — due to storage constraints, technical complexity, or hardware limitations — a remote node is a practical alternative. Your wallet connects to a node operated by someone else to complete synchronization and transactions.
Monero's cryptographic protections ensure that even a remote node cannot determine the transaction amounts, recipient addresses, or sender identities associated with the queries your wallet sends — these are protected on-chain by ring signatures, RingCT, and stealth addresses. A remote node also cannot access your private keys or move your funds.
However, there are residual risks to be aware of when using a remote node:
- The remote node may be able to observe your IP address as the source of a connection
- A remote node can see which block heights your wallet requests, which may allow it to estimate when you last synced or when you typically use Monero
- In adversarial conditions, this metadata could marginally reduce your anonymity
Dandelion++ addresses the IP exposure risk: Monero's built-in Dandelion++ protocol routes a transaction through a random sequence of relay nodes before broadcasting it to the broader network. This makes it significantly harder to trace a transaction back to the originating IP address. Dandelion++ operates automatically at the Monero protocol level without any user configuration. For additional protection, routing connections through a VPN or Tor further obscures your IP from any remote node you connect to.
How to Connect to a Remote Node in Monero GUI
- Ensure your GUI wallet is in Advanced Mode (Settings → Wallet → Close this wallet → Change wallet mode → Advanced mode).
- Find a public remote node. Community-maintained lists are available at moneroworld.com and ditatompel.com.
- Open your wallet. Click the pop-up option "Use custom settings." Navigate to the Node section and select "Remote node." Enter the address and port. Click "Connect" and wait for synchronization.
Light Wallets: No Node Required
If you prefer not to manage any node configuration, a light wallet like XMRWallet handles node connectivity for you. XMRWallet is browser-based and requires no software downloads or local storage. It connects to a node automatically, allowing you to send and receive XMR immediately after wallet creation. You retain complete control of your private keys — they are generated locally in your browser and never transmitted. XMRWallet is also accessible via Tor through its .onion address for users who want additional network-layer privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Monero node and what does it do?
A Monero node runs the XMR daemon software and participates in the peer-to-peer network. Full nodes store the complete Monero blockchain (over 200 GB as of early 2026), validate transactions and blocks, relay data to other nodes, and serve blockchain data to connected wallets. More nodes across diverse operators = more network resilience.
What is Dandelion++ and how does it protect Monero users connecting to remote nodes?
Dandelion++ is a network-layer protocol built into Monero that routes a transaction through random relay nodes (the "stem" phase) before broadcasting to the full network (the "fluff" phase). This makes it significantly harder to identify the originating IP address of a transaction. It operates automatically — no user configuration required. Using a VPN or Tor provides additional IP-layer protection on top of Dandelion++.
