<p>Every node you spin up will have to have Bitcoins that you can lock up to put into the payment channels it creates. Nothing is stopping you from starting a new node (and payment channel) for every node you transact with. And as long as none of the Bitcoins you used were connected to each other it wouldn't be very easy to prove those nodes were controlled by the same entity.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T15:46:04.057Z
When you settle the transaction, won't that establish a connection?
Christopher King
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-17T06:16:34.347Z
2016-05-17T06:16:34.347Z
mustyoshi
<p>Since Lightning is apparently going to use onion routing, your neighbors can't tell if you are the recipient or just part of a forwarding chain. While you could use additional nodes, I'm not sure it would increase your privacy in any meaningful way.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-30T08:44:16.043Z
2016-05-30T08:44:16.043Z
Murch
<p>Let's say I'm on a Lightning Network. Can I create a bunch of nodes, and do all my spending through those nodes?</p>
<p>Can you hide the fact that these nodes are likely controlled by the same person?</p>
<p>How often would you need to contact the blockchain? Would doing so compromise privacy?</p>
<p>(You may assume that every network action is done from a different IP address.)</p>

<lightning-network><privacy><lightning-routing>
For lightning network, can I surround myself with a bunch of nodes to increase anonymity?
Christopher King
# For lightning network, can I surround myself with a bunch of nodes to increase anonymity?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-05-17)

Let's say I'm on a Lightning Network. Can I create a bunch of nodes, and do all my spending through those nodes?

Can you hide the fact that these nodes are likely controlled by the same person?

How often would you need to contact the blockchain? Would doing so compromise privacy?

(You may assume that every network action is done from a different IP address.)

**Tags:** lightning-network, privacy, lightning-routing


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-05-17. Score: 2

Every node you spin up will have to have Bitcoins that you can lock up to put into the payment channels it creates. Nothing is stopping you from starting a new node (and payment channel) for every node you transact with. And as long as none of the Bitcoins you used were connected to each other it wouldn't be very easy to prove those nodes were controlled by the same entity.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: When you settle the transaction, won't that establish a connection?  

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### Answer by username_2 on 2016-05-30. Score: 0

Since Lightning is apparently going to use onion routing, your neighbors can't tell if you are the recipient or just part of a forwarding chain. While you could use additional nodes, I'm not sure it would increase your privacy in any meaningful way.


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