How Do You Invest In Nodes And Masternodes In Crypto?
By Jesse Almeda on ALTCOIN MAGAZINE
Everyone’s talking about the blockchain and the potential of future cryptocurrencies. But if you’re interested in new investment opportunities, trading coins on speculation isn’t your only option for blockchain exposure. You could invest in established tech companies hoping to make use of the blockchain (or those that stand to gain from it). Or you could invest in nodes or masternodes — the foundation of any blockchain — and establish a stream of passive income.
The Basics of Nodes And Masternodes
Let’s get down to the bottom of what “nodes” are, and why they’re an important potential investment. The blockchain relies on a distributed ledger, with a network of thousands, if not millions of machines participating in recording and verifying transactions. Each node acts as an independent block within the blockchain.
In mainstream cryptocurrency models (like the one followed by Bitcoin), these devices (and their owners) are encouraged to actively record and verify transactions; they’re offered a fractional share of the cryptocurrency in exchange for their processing power. Maintaining a node on the blockchain network can help you achieve these rewards or incentives.
Masternodes, like Dash, function like standard blockchain nodes, but with a handful of supped-up features, including:
- Higher Privacy. Masternodes provide higher privacy and the promise of anonymity for their users.
- Faster Speeds. Because they operate as a full node, masternodes provide faster transaction speeds than their counterparts.
- Decentralized Voting And Smart Contracts. Masternodes rely on immutable “smart contracts,” improving governance, and host the ledger for decentralized voting.
- Decentralized Budgeting. Using a masternode also allows decentralized control over how the coinage is distributed.
Masternodes emerged in part as a response to the prevalence of mining pools. Because mining pools end up utilizing most of the resources in a given ecosystem for mining activities, the overall efficiency of the blockchain is reduced. Masternodes act as full nodes in the system, serving as a backbone for the cryptocurrency.
Every cryptocurrency is different, and there are many different types of masternodes that can be operated. However, they often share the same characteristics and can be treated the same way.
Cryptocurrencies that function with masternodes need investors to establish and take control of these operational units. Investors take on the burden of hosting and operational expenses, and in return get both active and passive revenue opportunities.
How To Invest In Nodes And Masternodes
Almost anyone can invest in a blockchain node by turning their existing device into a mining machine (provided it has enough processing power). Investing in a masternode is much more complex.
Depending on the requirements of the specific network you’re accessing, you’ll probably need to provide some kind of collateral if you want to operate a full node. For example, you might need to include 1,500 units or more on your masternode, and front several thousand coins as collateral. This is a simple measure to ensure masternode operators are managing their network in a way that benefits the ecosystem overall; otherwise, a nefarious investor could attempt to manipulate the market or sabotage the network. In addition to that, you’ll need some basics, including an actively hosted VPS server, a dedicated IP address, and plenty of long-term storage (since you’ll be storing and updating the entire blockchain).
The Risks And Caveats
Investing in a masternode can help you secure an ongoing (and passive) stream of revenue in the form of new coins, but there are also some risks and caveats to keep in mind:
- Setup Costs. You’ll need to buy the hardware for your initial setup, which can be pricey depending on how much you need.
- Coin Collateral. This is often one of the biggest expenditures faced by a masternode investor, and one of the biggest risks. Because you’ll probably need to provide thousands of units of your chosen cryptocurrency, this can translate to upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Ongoing Hosting And Management Costs. You’ll be responsible for paying the monthly hosting and management costs associated with operating this network. This can be costly, but it’s usually less than what you stand to gain by running the system, resulting in a net profit.
- Variable Coin Value. As you’re undoubtedly already aware, investing in cryptocurrencies is always somewhat risky due to the volatile nature of coin prices. Because much of your collateral stake and earnings will be in cryptocurrency, there’s a chance its overall value could swing wildly in one direction or the other.
Like any investment strategy, investing in nodes and masternodes come with risks and rewards. There’s a good chance your masternode investment could result in a reliable, passive stream of revenue, but the costs could be high, depending on the requirements of your chosen network and your tech specs. Make sure you do your own independent research and run a full cost-benefit analysis before you proceed.
