Release of mwc-node 3.2.3

We are pleased to announce the release of mwc-node 3.2.3. This is an important release, because it introduces TOR outbound connectivity capabilities. That means that, if configured correctly, the mwc-node will connect to all other hosts through TOR.

This means that users can now have complete privacy of location if they run a local mwc-node and configure it to connect through TOR and use the TOR or file based payment methods in the wallet. A guide for configuring the mwc-node with tor can be found here.

July 4th, is a fitting date for this release because we hope these tools will help individuals claim their financial sovereignty just as a group of colonies declared their sovereignty from British rule 244 years ago.

Thomas Jefferson said, "The system of banking we have both equally and ever reprobated. I contemplate it as a blot left in all our constitutions, which, if not covered, will end in their destruction, which is already hit by the gamblers in corruption, and is sweeping away in its progress the fortunes and morals of our citizens. Funding I consider as limited, rightfully, to a redemption of the debt within the lives of a majority of the generation contracting it; every generation coming equally, by the laws of the Creator of the world, to the free possession of the earth he made for their subsistence, unincumbered by their predecessors, who, like them, were but tenants for life… And I sincerely believe, with you, that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies; and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale."

Recent events, more and more, indicate that Jefferson was right, but like us, many others are working on solutions and that is a reason for hope. That's why there's no reason to fight with other projects or engage in tribalism. Hopefully, the first principle of enabling monetary sovereignty has remained the same. If that purpose or aim is the case then there is nothing to argue about. We are all  working towards the same goals through different means.

After this release, the next features are inbound TOR connections, and increasing the ease of use and performance of the wallet and node. Inbound TOR connections will be very exciting because it will mean that all nodes, whether behind a firewall on a home network or on a public IP, will be able to accept inbound connections.

And if every wallet runs its own node, it will mean that there will be a massive amount of nodes whose whereabouts are completely unknown as they will be indistinguishable to any observers such as ISPs, metadata inspection, etc. This will increase the MWC network's durability and indestructibility.

Stopping the MWC network will be difficult if an attacker does not even know where it's running.

Miners may still choose to use nodes connected to public IPs to reduce latency, but even that can be brought behind TOR if the cost of mining on a public IP becomes excessively expensive. It will really be a very interesting system.