[For Developers] n0nce's Bitcoin Testnet Faucet [~10 tBTC]

[Learn Bitcoin]

It seems there is too much demand for Testnet BTC. I was trying a new project and I need some tBTC to check it for my client. However, most of the faucets available have died due to high demand. @n0nce, I am not sure if you are still sending testnet BTC or not. If so, please help me with 0.05 Testnet BTC to this address tb1p6y4jev5h8qt2f5sczmlmzxx2j5xkrfv9pmfek56mjss7mxz94p9szcj7sf

Moreover, I want to ask a simple question. Is it possible to mine Testnet Bitcoin without an ASIC miner or a GPU? Is it possible to mine with a laptop or a Computer? Let me know, please. I would love to mine some Testnet Bitcoin.

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[vjudeu]

Is it possible to mine Testnet Bitcoin without an ASIC miner or a GPU?

Yes, of course:

1. Download the whole testnet chain.
2. Connect two nodes on localhost.
3. Go offline for 20 minutes (or simply put your local system clock 20 minutes forward).
4. Mine the new testnet block with the minimal difficulty on your CPU.

Of course, if you reconnect, then your block will be reorged immediately. However, if your goal is to test things (for example you want to test mining), then doing it offline should be sufficient. And if you download the whole chain in step one, then all transaction IDs will be preserved, so you will be able to test all cases you want.

Also, it is possible to copy some transactions into regtest, and then you can easily mine blocks on your CPU, and test everything you want. Here is how: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5479988.msg63437260#msg63437260

And note that there is some ongoing discussion about the future of testnet3, and potentially resetting the network, and reaching for example testnet4: https://groups.google.com/g/bitcoindev/c/9bL00vRj7OU

Which also means, that depending on what do you want to achieve, using signet or regtest may be easier in some cases, if you honestly want to test things, and not just get some testnet coins, because of some altcoins.

[Learn Bitcoin]

Is it possible to mine Testnet Bitcoin without an ASIC miner or a GPU?

Yes, of course:

1. Download the whole testnet chain.
2. Connect two nodes on localhost.
3. Go offline for 20 minutes (or simply put your local system clock 20 minutes forward).
4. Mine the new testnet block with the minimal difficulty on your CPU.

Of course, if you reconnect, then your block will be reorged immediately. However, if your goal is to test things (for example you want to test mining), then doing it offline should be sufficient. And if you download the whole chain in step one, then all transaction IDs will be preserved, so you will be able to test all cases you want.

Thanks for the help. Previously, I tried running the Bitcoin core full node and pruned node. But I haven't tried running the testnet node. I am not sure if I will be able to do what you have mentioned. I haven't found a single Tutorial video on YouTube about it. Currently, I am downloading the whole testnet chain, and I don't know how long it will take.

Now, if you ask me about the purposes, I am not a dev, (I don't have coding knowledge) but I do some freelance work. Sometimes, clients ask to test their projects in addition to my work. Moreover, Having some testnet coins is better for the future as well. I may help others when they need it.

[vjudeu]

But I haven't tried running the testnet node.

It is important to know, that there are more networks than mainnet. You can currently pick from mainnet, testnet3, regtest and signet in the current version of Bitcoin Core.

I haven't found a single Tutorial video on YouTube about it.

If you can run Bitcoin Core from console window, then you know everything you need. Just use a different flag, when starting the client:

Code:

./bitcoin-qt --help
...

Chain selection options:

  -chain=<chain>
       Use the chain <chain> (default: main). Allowed values: main, test,
       signet, regtest

  -signet
       Use the signet chain. Equivalent to -chain=signet. Note that the network
       is defined by the -signetchallenge parameter

  -signetchallenge
       Blocks must satisfy the given script to be considered valid (only for
       signet networks; defaults to the global default signet test
       network challenge)

  -signetseednode
       Specify a seed node for the signet network, in the hostname[:port]
       format, e.g. sig.net:1234 (may be used multiple times to specify
       multiple seed nodes; defaults to the global default signet test
       network seed node(s))

  -testnet
       Use the test chain. Equivalent to -chain=test.

...

And then, I usually start all of those networks offline, and remove "noconnect" option, when I have to go online:

Code:

./bitcoin-qt --noconnect            # starting the mainnet in offline mode
./bitcoin-qt --noconnect -testnet   # offline testnet3
./bitcoin-qt             -regtest   # this network is offline by default
./bitcoin-qt --noconnect -signet    # blocks are signed there

Currently, I am downloading the whole testnet chain, and I don't know how long it will take.

Pick the best network for your goals. You don't have to stick with testnet3. If you just want to mine some blocks on CPU, and you want to do that offline, then just pick regtest, and don't worry about Initial Blockchain Download.

And if you want to make it online, then you can use signet, and pick your own signetchallenge. For example, you can use "<current_challenge> OP_DUP OP_NOTIF <your_challenge> OP_ENDIF", then you can synchronize existing signet, and mine your own blocks on top of that (or you can just pick OP_TRUE, if you want to use signet in the same way as testnet3).

Now, if you ask me about the purposes, I am not a dev, (I don't have coding knowledge) but I do some freelance work. Sometimes, clients ask to test their projects in addition to my work. Moreover, Having some testnet coins is better for the future as well. I may help others when they need it.

As I said, if you need some online, private test network, then you should probably use signet, with your own signetchallenge. And to make things easy, you can change existing 1-of-2 multisig, into for example 1-of-3 multisig, and add your own public key, as the third key. This is also sufficient to synchronize official signet chain.

[Learn Bitcoin]

It is important to know, that there are more networks than mainnet. You can currently pick from mainnet, testnet3, regtest and signet in the current version of Bitcoin Core.

--If you can run Bitcoin Core from console window, then you know everything you need. Just use a different flag, when starting the client:

No. I have never used the console and I don't know the command lines as well. I am running the Bitcoin core with the GUI. I don't know how to pick the chains. I am running the testnet node at this moment and it's still syching the headers. I don't know the difference between testnet3 and regtest or signet. How can I pick one of the chains using the GUI?

My block directory name is E:\testnet3\blocks. So, I assume I am going to download testnet3 blockchains. What will be my next step? Should I be there again after downloading the whole blockchain? Or is there anything else I have to do before I download the blocks?

[NotATether]

No. I have never used the console and I don't know the command lines as well. I am running the Bitcoin core with the GUI. I don't know how to pick the chains. I am running the testnet node at this moment and it's still syching the headers. I don't know the difference between testnet3 and regtest or signet. How can I pick one of the chains using the GUI?

You cannot switch between chains at runtime. You have to run bitcoin-qt -testnet in order to launch the GUI in testnet mode, and it can also run simultaneously with node from some other chain like mainnet.

My block directory name is E:\testnet3\blocks. So, I assume I am going to download testnet3 blockchains. What will be my next step? Should I be there again after downloading the whole blockchain? Or is there anything else I have to do before I download the blocks?

There's nothing else you need to do. However do be warned that testnet mining relies on the block difficulty dropping suddenly to the minimum (1) before an epoch consisting of 2016 mined blocks has almost been completed. You will have much better luck mining on Signet if you desire a more permanent chain than regtest.

[vjudeu]

I am running the Bitcoin core with the GUI.

There is some tutorial in this topic: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5215716.0

Of course, images are broken, but they are still available, if you copy those links, and open them separately. For example, here is how you can pick the network. You can type all command-line options there, including "--noconnect" to go offline, if you want to.

I don't know the difference between testnet3 and regtest or signet.

1. If you want to just mine any blocks on your CPU, no matter what, then you can use regtest.
2. If your plan is to share your tests online, you can use signet.
3. If you don't want to have centralized mining, you can use testnet3.

Should I be there again after downloading the whole blockchain?

There are many options, you don't have to wait. If you want to test, what would happen, if the block 123456 would be different, then you only need the first 123455 blocks to test it.

Or is there anything else I have to do before I download the blocks?

There are many options. If you don't want to wait for Initial Blockchain Download, you can just run regtest, and construct the whole chain from scratch.

[Learn Bitcoin]

There's nothing else you need to do. However do be warned that testnet mining relies on the block difficulty dropping suddenly to the minimum (1) before an epoch consisting of 2016 mined blocks has almost been completed. You will have much better luck mining on Signet if you desire a more permanent chain than regtest.

How can I try the Signet then? What do I have to do? Is it possible to switch the chain? I noticed that I had almost nothing to do except select the directory when I started Installing the Bitcoin core again. When I go to my Windows search, If I write Bitcoin, I get two apps: one is the main Bitcoin core and the other is the Bitcoin core testnet. When I run the testnet, I guess testnet3 loads by default.

2. If your plan is to share your tests online, you can use signet.
3. If you don't want to have centralized mining, you can use testnet3.

Options two and three seem good to me. So, I would like to switch to Signet because as NotAThether said, I will have better luck mining tbtc. I will check the tutorial images and try to figure out what should I do.

[NotATether]

There's nothing else you need to do. However do be warned that testnet mining relies on the block difficulty dropping suddenly to the minimum (1) before an epoch consisting of 2016 mined blocks has almost been completed. You will have much better luck mining on Signet if you desire a more permanent chain than regtest.

How can I try the Signet then? What do I have to do? Is it possible to switch the chain? I noticed that I had almost nothing to do except select the directory when I started Installing the Bitcoin core again. When I go to my Windows search, If I write Bitcoin, I get two apps: one is the main Bitcoin core and the other is the Bitcoin core testnet. When I run the testnet, I guess testnet3 loads by default.

You have to run bitcoin-qt -signet (or as bitcoind), -testnet activates the testnet3 chain not the signet chain.

Otherwise the operation of signet is very similar to testnet. See this Stack Exchange question for details.

You might run into some convenience issues such as no widely available block explorer for Signet, but that is because it is so new and was only created 4 years ago.

[vjudeu]

How can I try the Signet then?

https://en.bitcoin.it/Signet

What do I have to do?

If you don't want to touch the console, then just change Properties in your shortcut. Or: you can copy-paste the shortcut, and set different options for each of them. Then, you could double-click on the right icon, depending on which network you would want to run. Screenshot: https://imgur.com/XmldnwB

Is it possible to switch the chain?

Yes. Just change some options in Properties, as shown in the screen above.

[Learn Bitcoin]

Yes. Just change some options in Properties, as shown in the screen above.

Okay. My Bitcoin core -signet is synchronized fully and I have created a wallet too. What else should I have to do to mine a block apart from running it 24/7? I have been running it for a day already and I thought running it 24/7 was going to mine a block for me. Can you please guide what else I should do to start mining?

What is the difference between the signet testnet BTC and the testnet3 BTC? I have used a faucet and claimed a few thousand satoshis but I need a little more. Can I transfer signet testnet BTC to any other regular testnet wallet?

[vjudeu]

What else should I have to do to mine a block apart from running it 24/7?

You have to pick your signet challenge. Because in signet, all blocks are signed. If you use the official one, then you cannot mine on top of it, unless you use OP_TRUE as your signet challenge. And this is probably the easiest thing you can do:

Code:

./bitcoin-qt -signet -signetchallenge=51

Which means, that if you have working shortcut with "-signet" at the end, then just append "-signetchallenge=51" into that.

And later, if you want to make your network online, you should probably replace "51" with the Script, which you want to use to sign your blocks.

[Learn Bitcoin]

And this is probably the easiest thing you can do:

Code:

./bitcoin-qt -signet -signetchallenge=51

Where do I have to write this? Can you please show me a screenshot if possible?

Which means, that if you have working shortcut with "-signet" at the end, then just append "-signetchallenge=51" into that.

Sorry for being a noob but I have to ask these questions. Did mean this?



If so, When I make this change and try to open it again, I get this error. Can you please help me with this?

[albert0bsd]

If so, When I make this change and try to open it again, I get this error. Can you please help me with this?

I think that it is pretty obvious no? the wallet in that path was created by another network no?
You can test the next:
- Move that wallet to a backup folder
- Delete any wallet in that directory
- Create a new wallet

[Learn Bitcoin]

---

I am kind of frustrated and upset over myself because I haven't learned these things these days. I have tried the methods you guys suggested, but unfortunately, either I do not understand what you guys are telling me to do, or I am doing it wrong. When you guys say write ./bitcoin-qt -signet -signetchallenge=51, you should tell me where should I write it. Otherwise, I have to run here and there, and I will have to give up. I put that on the properties just like the screenshot shared by Vjudeu. I tried this on console and PowerShell too. I don't know if it's a command line or something. How do I suppose to learn these things? There are no youtube videos for these guides. Pooor LB with malfaunctioned brain 

[Knight Hider]

It seems there is too much demand for Testnet BTC. I was trying a new project and I need some tBTC to check it for my client. However, most of the faucets available have died due to high demand. @n0nce, I am not sure if you are still sending testnet BTC or not. If so, please help me with 0.05 Testnet BTC to this address tb1p6y4jev5h8qt2f5sczmlmzxx2j5xkrfv9pmfek56mjss7mxz94p9szcj7sf

I sent you 0.00196327 tBTC when you posted this. If you return it when finished, I can send 0.048 more.

[Learn Bitcoin]

I sent you 0.00196327 tBTC when you posted this. If you return it when finished, I can send 0.048 more.

Thank you very much for helping me. I failed to gather the tBTC when I needed and I even tried hard to mine some tBTC but as you can see, I am too noob to understand everything and mine some tBTC. So, I had to spend some of my real Bitcoin to buy some tBTC and I am glad that I was able to buy some tBTC. Now you may ask why you buy BTC? it's completely free and tBTC does not have any value. Well, I know that. But after hearing that the block reward of testnet BTC is around 0.012 tBTC, I thought why not buy some tBTC and appreciate who have mined it. Anyway, please post your tBTC address and I will send you back. Thanks again for helping me.

[Knight Hider]

Now you may ask why you buy BTC? it's completely free and tBTC does not have any value. Well, I know that. But after hearing that the block reward of testnet BTC is around 0.012 tBTC, I thought why not buy some tBTC and appreciate who have mined it. Anyway, please post your tBTC address and I will send you back. Thanks again for helping me.

Testnet trading was discussed in https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5486628.msg63720323#msg63720323.

You do not have to return the 0.00196327, but if you want you can return it to the sending address.

[Learn Bitcoin]

Testnet trading was discussed in https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5486628.msg63720323#msg63720323.

You do not have to return the 0.00196327, but if you want you can return it to the sending address.

Thanks for helping me. I have sent it back to the address it came from.
It seems we will see a lot of shortage of testnet Bitcoin. There are almost no working testnet faucets at this moment and not everyone can mine testnet Bitcoin. This is the reason Bitcoin testnet market has been created and now people are buying tBTC when they need it. Anyways, thanks again.

[vjudeu]

you should tell me where should I write it

There are two options:

1. You can run it from console window, if you are in the folder, where you have your Bitcoin application.
2. You can just append those options in the Properties, as you already did.

So, you did the second thing, and I assume it is correct. The reason, why it doesn't work, is that you had before some other settings, which may not work with what you are trying to do now.
Which means, that the way forward is not about changing the command, it is about cleaning up your wallet directory (if you want to use signet).

But: you can use "bitcoin-qt.exe -regtest" in the Properties window instead, and see if you can run regtest correctly. Then, at least you could mine some blocks locally, and test some basic things, without worrying about downloading the chain.

I don't know if it's a command line or something.

It is a command line. But guess what: putting those commands in the Properties, leads you to the same results, as you would have, if you would put it in the console.

For that reason, if you would use "notepad.exe" instead of "bitcoin-qt.exe", then guess what: it would open a Notepad instead! There is nothing fancy here, just a command to run your application.

How do I suppose to learn these things?

Well, it is not about Bitcoin. It is about knowing, how programs are executed by Operating Systems (Windows in this case). Which means, that if you want to learn such things, then it is completely separated from learning about Bitcoin, because if you would want to run Notepad or any other program, and modify the command line options, then those steps would be similar.

There are no youtube videos for these guides.

Of course there are. For example, here is some video for Linux: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-NYviYuUVM
And the first comment: "I like how you started with the result instead of the boring part of downloading the files, etc."

So, I guess for different people, there are different needs. For some people, it is obvious, how programs are executed, and for some others, click-by-click explanation is needed. If you are in the second group, then you can get more knowledge not only by looking at Bitcoin-related tutorials specifically, but for example by also learning, how shortcuts in Windows works. And that kind of knowledge is a different matter than learning about Bitcoin, it is rather learning about your Operating System.