Motivation
Nowadays, there are many web and mobile apps providing bitcoin and lightning wallets functionality. They are mostly known as SPV, Simplified Payment Verification clients which connect to a full node. Likewise, hardware wallets also typically require a companion app which in turn connects to a full node run by someone else.
Historically, bitcoin - and especially lightning - nodes have been run by organizations and people with knowledge in cryptography, system networks and software engineering.
Nakamochi takes on the challenge to make such nodes usable to a broader audience. Just like a coffee maker or a microwave oven, we believe anyone should be able to run a node at home and reach 100% privacy and independence. Running one's own full node also helps the whole Bitcoin network to remain decentralized.
The name
The name "nakamochi" comes from putting together Satoshi Nakamoto, the founder of Bitcoin, and a famous Japanese handheld digital pet to emphasize personal, self-hosting.
Editions
We are focusing on two editions. One for tinkeres and people with technical knowledge. The other is a "plug-and-play" device, like a coffee maker.
The editions have something in common: the touch screen user interface and system updates. Naturally, everything is open source, including electronics and mechanical parts we designed ourselves.
NERD
The NERD edition is designed using only off-the-shelf electronics components, 3D-printed and CNC-milled mechanical parts. It is a running system and you can source and even replace the hardware. Everything is open source and freely accessible for everyone. Here you profit from some product engineering. It improves heat dissipation while keeping the device completely silent, fanless.
You can of course buy the whole kit from us to make things easier, or source CNC and 3D printed material yourself. We will be offering it in the preassembled and kit form.
Enjoy checking out the source code, CAD designs and schematics. You can tinker here, just be sure that the device still works after that.
KAFI
If you are mostly interested in the freedom of the Bitcoin Standard, helping the Bitcoin network to remain decentralized, and want a device that just works without a NERD-like technical knowledge in hardware design and software engineering, the KAFI edition is the one for you.
We are taking all the knowledge and learnings from the NERD edition and designing most of the parts ourselves here: from mechanical parts and enclosure to PCBs for an optimal device solution where hardware and software function well together. All of the work is open source.
The KAFI edition is still work-in-progress and will be available soon.
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