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About Knowing Bitcoin

Who We Are

Knowing Bitcoin is run by Max Hale, a Bitcoin security researcher and self-custody advocate who has spent years studying the practical side of Bitcoin ownership — from hardware wallet firmware to Lightning Network channel management and multisig key ceremonies.

Max runs personal Bitcoin and Lightning nodes, tests hardware wallets hands-on, and writes from direct experience rather than secondhand summaries. Every guide on this site reflects real-world usage, not marketing copy.

Our Mission

Knowing Bitcoin exists to provide independent, technically accurate Bitcoin security education — free from sponsored content, affiliate bias, or exchange partnerships. The goal is simple: help Bitcoiners protect their holdings with battle-tested knowledge.

Too much Bitcoin content online is shallow, repetitive, or written by people who have never configured a hardware wallet or opened a Lightning channel. This site takes a different approach. Every article is grounded in hands-on testing and aims to give readers the confidence to secure their own Bitcoin without trusting third parties.

What We Cover

Knowing Bitcoin focuses on the topics that matter most for long-term Bitcoin holders and technically curious users:

• Hardware Wallets & Self-Custody — In-depth reviews, setup guides, and security comparisons for devices like Trezor, Ledger, Coldcard, BitBox, Jade, and Keystone. We cover firmware updates, passphrase strategies, and backup procedures.
• Seed Phrase Security — Best practices for generating, storing, and protecting your recovery seed. Metal backup reviews, Shamir’s Secret Sharing, and common mistakes that lead to fund loss.
• Lightning Network — Channel management, routing optimization, node setup, and liquidity strategies. Practical guides for both beginners and experienced node operators.
• Multisig & Advanced Custody — Setting up 2-of-3 and 3-of-5 multisig wallets, geographic key distribution, inheritance planning, and collaborative custody models.
• Bitcoin Privacy — UTXO management, coin control, CoinJoin, PayJoin, and techniques for maintaining transaction privacy without sacrificing usability.
• Node Operation & Infrastructure — Running Bitcoin Core, Electrum Server, and Lightning nodes. Synchronization, pruning, Tor configuration, and monitoring.

Editorial Standards

Every article published on Knowing Bitcoin follows these principles:

• Hands-on testing — We do not write about products or techniques we have not personally used. Hardware wallet reviews involve actual device setup, transaction signing, and recovery testing.
• Technical accuracy — Content is reviewed for correctness against Bitcoin Core documentation, BIP standards, and established cryptographic principles. We correct errors promptly when identified.
• No sponsored content — Knowing Bitcoin does not accept paid reviews, sponsored posts, or affiliate-driven recommendations. Our assessments are independent.
• Regular updates — Articles are updated when firmware changes, new vulnerabilities are discovered, or best practices evolve. You will see “Updated” dates on articles that have been revised since original publication.

Why This Site Exists

Bitcoin’s promise is financial sovereignty — but sovereignty requires knowledge. A hardware wallet is only as secure as the person using it. A Lightning node only works if you understand channel management. Privacy tools only help if you know how to use them correctly.

Knowing Bitcoin was created in 2024 to bridge the gap between Bitcoin’s technical documentation and practical, everyday usage. Whether you are setting up your first hardware wallet or optimizing your Lightning node’s routing fees, you will find clear, actionable guidance here.

Contact & Disclaimer

Have a question, correction, or suggestion? Reach out via the contact information on this site. We welcome technical feedback and corrections — accuracy matters more than pride.

Disclaimer: The content on Knowing Bitcoin is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Bitcoin involves significant risk, and you are solely responsible for your own security decisions. Always verify information independently and never invest more than you can afford to lose. The guides on this site reflect our best understanding at the time of writing, but technology evolves and individual circumstances vary.