Run a node, buddy! https://image.nostr.build/668ef0ac729752489278f38eda1dd2819fb63dca5e02d9ba4d841c23d671a05a.jpg
Which one do you recommend?
Depends on your level of expertise. Umbrel is great for beginners…
If you self custody, can't you just create a node and use it at any time?
Um no, I mean I do run nodes but this is not how this works, at all.
Not directly, but ultimately: Centralized server nodes can collude with miners and both can get captured by the state. If that happens, Bitcoin as we know it will have lost. It's not as if those joining past 2023 will be hardcore maxis and could prevent that from happening.
Run a relay!