Since that is fairly opinion primarily based, I am going to supply my 2 satoshis.
This type of addresses the basis query which is “Why would I run a full node?”. There’s additionally a separate query of how ought to I safe my funds (or what pockets ought to I take advantage of)?
Wallets
The principle factor you have to defend is your personal keys (and any entry to make use of them). Should you by no means import them into the complete node pockets, you need not fear about somebody controlling your funds by stepping into your field and executing transactions. This goes for any “sizzling pockets” or on-line pockets.
Should you preserve your personal keys offline, you’ll be able to signal transactions with an offline pockets utility or a {hardware} pockets. Should you additionally run a full node, you’ll be able to then submit the transaction utilizing the node’s RPC interface, see: Ship Uncooked Transaction.
There are numerous libraries and purposes that will help you with this, here is an instance of an inventory: Superior-Bitcoin
Full Nodes
Within the Authentic Whitepaper the idea of a miner and a full node have been usually the identical machine. As we speak, miners are specialised {hardware} optimized for the sha256 algorithm.
For some, working a full node supplies a low-latency interface to the community for submitting blocks (mining), or it supplies the identical interface for a third social gathering utility like a block explorer.
Nonetheless, for my part, the aim of working a full node isn’t for the pockets, however relatively to take part within the consensus of the community by verifying transactions. Should you personal and transact bitcoin, do not you care in case your transactions are executed correctly and that your foreign money is not being inflated? Should you do not run a full node you’re trusting others to validate this for you.
Many individuals do not feel as strongly within the mission of making a decentralized, censorship-resistant world digital foreign money, however when you do not forged your vote by working a full node and validating the blocks, then you’ll be able to’t complain concerning the present system of foreign money.