📡 BitcoinZ Wallet Setup Guide: Connect via Tor to an .onion Node for Enhanced Privacy

Welcome to this step-by-step guide to set up your BitcoinZ wallet to connect to the network via Tor and join an .onion node for maximum anonymity! 🌐 By following this tutorial, you’ll enhance your privacy while contributing to a more secure BitcoinZ network. This guide is designed for Windows users, but the concepts can be adapted for other platforms.

Why Use Tor and an .onion Node?
Using Tor hides your IP address, and connecting to an .onion node ensures your traffic stays within the Tor network, preventing leaks and improving anonymity. Let’s get started! 🚀

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📋 Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have:

• A Windows computer (adaptable for Linux/macOS).
• An internet connection.
• The BitcoinZ wallet (version 2.1.0 or later recommended).
• Tor (via Tor Browser or manual installation).

Goal: Configure your BitcoinZ wallet to connect via Tor and specifically to the .onion node: 62a7pm7alf6hv2vwrt2lc2dg5k2akkixpy3olnl5uusuobgil7he2vid.onion:1989.

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🛠️ Step 1: Install Tor for Anonymous Connections

Tor is a powerful tool for anonymizing your network traffic. We’ll use it to route your BitcoinZ wallet connections securely.

Option 1: Use Tor Browser (Recommended for Beginners)

1. Download Tor Browser:
   • Get it from the official Tor Project website: Download Tor Browser.
2. Install Tor Browser:
   • Run the installer and follow the prompts (e.g., install to C:\Users\<your_user>\Downloads\tor-browser).
3. Launch Tor Browser:
   • Open Tor Browser and ensure it connects to the Tor network.
   • Visit check.torproject.org to confirm you’re connected to Tor.
4. Keep Tor Browser Running:
   • Tor Browser uses port 9050 for SOCKS and port 9151 for the ControlPort. Leave it open during this tutorial.

Option 2: Install Tor Manually (For Advanced Users)

1. Download the Tor Expert Bundle:
   • Get the latest version from the Tor Project: Download Tor Expert Bundle (e.g., tor-expert-bundle-windows-x86_64-14.5a5).
2. Extract the Bundle:
   • Extract to a folder, e.g., C:\Users\<your_user>\Downloads\tor-expert-bundle-windows-x86_64-14.5a5.
3. Create a torrc File:
   • Open a command prompt:

     cd C:\Users\<your_user>\Downloads\tor-expert-bundle-windows-x86_64-14.5a5\tor
     notepad torrc
     

   • Add these lines:

     SocksPort 9050
     ControlPort 9051
     

   • Save the file (ensure it’s named torrc, not torrc.txt). Else run on command prompt :

     ren torrc.txt torrc
   

4. Launch Tor:
   • Run:

     tor.exe -f torrc
     

   • Wait for Tor to connect. You’ll see:

     Bootstrapped 0% (starting)
     ...
     Bootstrapped 100% (done)
     

   • This may take 1-2 minutes. Keep the window open.

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💻 Step 2: Install the BitcoinZ Wallet

Let’s get the BitcoinZ wallet up and running!

1. Download the BitcoinZ Wallet:
   • Grab the latest version from the official GitHub: BitcoinZ Releases.
   • For Windows, download bitcoinz-windows-2.1.0.zip.
2. Extract the Wallet:
   • Extract to a folder, e.g., C:\Users\<your_user>\AppData\Local\BTCZCommunity\BTCZWallet\Data.
3. Verify Files:
   • Ensure bitcoinzd.exe and bitcoinz-cli.exe are in the folder.

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🔒 Step 3: Configure BitcoinZ to Connect via Tor

Now, let’s configure your wallet to use Tor and connect to the .onion node.

1. Create or Edit bitcoinz.conf:

   • Open a command prompt:

     notepad C:\Users\<your_user>\AppData\Roaming\BitcoinZ\bitcoinz.conf
     

   • If the file doesn’t exist, Notepad will create it.
   • Add the following configuration:

     proxy=127.0.0.1:9050
     torcontrol=127.0.0.1:9051
     listen=1
     bind=127.0.0.1
     listenonion=0
     torstartupdelay=120
     addnode=62a7pm7alf6hv2vwrt2lc2dg5k2akkixpy3olnl5uusuobgil7he2vid.onion:1989
     

     • proxy=127.0.0.1:9050: Routes traffic through Tor (Tor’s SOCKS port).
     • torcontrol=127.0.0.1:9051: Uses Tor’s ControlPort (9151 for Tor Browser, 9051 for manual Tor).
     • listen=1 and bind=127.0.0.1: Allows BitcoinZ to listen on 127.0.0.1:1989.
     • listenonion=0: Prevents BitcoinZ from creating its own onion service (avoids errors).
     • torstartupdelay=120: Gives Tor time to start.
     • addnode=62a7pm7alf6hv2vwrt2lc2dg5k2akkixpy3olnl5uusuobgil7he2vid.onion:1989: Connects to the .onion node.
   • Save the file.

2. Launch BitcoinZ:

   • Ensure Tor is running (Tor Browser or manual Tor).
   • Start BitcoinZ:

     cd C:\Users\<your_user>\AppData\Local\BTCZCommunity\BTCZWallet\Data
     bitcoinzd.exe
     

   • Wait 5-10 minutes for BitcoinZ to sync with the blockchain.

3. Verify Tor Usage:

   • Run:

     bitcoinz-cli.exe getnetworkinfo
     

   • Look for the "networks" section. You should see:

     "networks": [
       {
         "name": "ipv4",
         "limited": false,
         "reachable": true,
         "proxy": "127.0.0.1:9050",
         "proxy_randomize_credentials": true
       },
       {
         "name": "ipv6",
         "limited": false,
         "reachable": true,
         "proxy": "127.0.0.1:9050",
         "proxy_randomize_credentials": true
       },
       {
         "name": "onion",
         "limited": false,
         "reachable": true,
         "proxy": "127.0.0.1:9050",
         "proxy_randomize_credentials": true
       }
     ]

   • This confirms BitcoinZ is using Tor for all connections.

4. Verify Connection to the .onion Node:

   • Run:

     bitcoinz-cli.exe getpeerinfo
     

   • Look for a peer with:

     "addr": "62a7pm7alf6hv2vwrt2lc2dg5k2akkixpy3olnl5uusuobgil7he2vid.onion:1989"
     

   • If present, you’re successfully connected to the .onion node!

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🌐 Step 4: (Optional) Switch to an Onion-Only Setup

For maximum privacy, you can configure your node to connect only to .onion peers, avoiding ipv4/ipv6 connections.

1. Edit bitcoinz.conf:

   • Open:

     notepad C:\Users\<your_user>\AppData\Roaming\BitcoinZ\bitcoinz.conf
     

   • Add or uncomment:

     onlynet=onion
     

   • Save the file.

2. Restart BitcoinZ:

   Run bitcoinz-cli.exe stop Run bitcoinzd.exe

Wait 5-10 minutes.

3. Check Connections:

• Run:

  bitcoinz-cli.exe getpeerinfo
  

• You should only see .onion peers (e.g., 62a7pm7alf6hv2vwrt2lc2dg5k2akkixpy3olnl5uusuobgil7he2vid.onion:1989).
• Note: If no peers are listed, there may not be other .onion nodes available. You can disable onlynet=onion to connect to ipv4/ipv6 peers via Tor:

  #onlynet=onion
  

  Then restart BitcoinZ.

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💰 Step 5: Use Your BitcoinZ Wallet

You’re all set! You can now use your BitcoinZ wallet with enhanced privacy:

• Send and receive transactions.
• Check your balance:

Run bitcoinz-cli.exe getbalance

• Keep Tor running (Tor Browser or manual Tor) while using BitcoinZ.

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🛠️ Troubleshooting

• Tor Won’t Connect:
• Ensure Tor is running (Bootstrapped 100% (done) for manual Tor, or check check.torproject.org for Tor Browser).
• If Tor doesn’t connect, restart Tor or check your internet connection.
• BitcoinZ Doesn’t Connect to the .onion Node:
• Verify addnode=62a7pm7alf6hv2vwrt2lc2dg5k2akkixpy3olnl5uusuobgil7he2vid.onion:1989 is in bitcoinz.conf.
• Check BitcoinZ logs for errors:

  notepad C:\Users\<your_user>\AppData\Roaming\BitcoinZ\debug.log
  

• If the .onion node isn’t in getpeerinfo, it might be offline. Disable onlynet=onion to connect to other peers via Tor.
• Syncing Issues:
• Check if you’re connected to peers:

  bitcoinz-cli.exe getnetworkinfo
  

  Look for "connections". If it’s 0, add other nodes or disable onlynet=onion.

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🎉 Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve configured your BitcoinZ wallet to connect via Tor and to the .onion node 62a7pm7alf6hv2vwrt2lc2dg5k2akkixpy3olnl5uusuobgil7he2vid.onion:1989. This setup enhances your privacy and strengthens the BitcoinZ network. 🌍

Join the BitcoinZ community on Discord, Telegram, or GitHub to share your experience or get help. Let’s build a more private BitcoinZ network together! 💪

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Tutorial created by the BitcoinZ community. Special thanks to the operator of the .onion node 7fdkg25kqtjfogktfjy5darpd5ff6ty7n34ol575yb4dp7dfzc4sdkid.onion:1989 for providing this anonymous connection point.

ENJOY !