# Set up a Liquid node Source URL: https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/set-up-a-liquid-node Updated: 2026-04-09T09:37:45.000Z Category: Liquid Network Section: Perform Advanced Liquid Operations --- > **Tip:** For most Liquid users, a light wallet like the [Blockstream app](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/acquire-lbtc/get-a-liquid-wallet) will be preferable to running a Liquid node. A Liquid node allows you to send and receive assets on the [Liquid Network](https://glossary.blockstream.com/liquid-network/), verify transactions, [peg in Liquid Bitcoin (LBTC)](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/peg-in-btc-to-the-liquid-network), [verify the LBTC supply](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/enable-peg-in-validation-on-my-liquid-node), and issue new assets. To set up a Liquid node, you'll need to download **Elements Core**, as the Liquid Network is built upon the [Elements sidechain platform](https://blockstream.com/elements/). Elements Core connects to the Liquid Network by default. You will need a desktop computer with at least 4GB of hard disk space available to complete the installation. > **Note:** This guide is designed for beginners wanting to set up a Liquid node as fast as possible. Developers and other advanced users should instead [see the advanced node setup guide](https://docs.blockstream.com/liquid/node%5Fsetup.html) in our technical documentation. ### Install Your Liquid Node 1. Download the latest installer for Elements Core from the [Elements Core release page](https://github.com/ElementsProject/elements/releases). | **macOS** | elements--osx-unsigned.dmg | | ---------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | **Windows** | elements--win64-setup-unsigned.exe | | **Ubuntu** | elements--x86\_64-linux-gnu.tar.gz | | **Raspberry Pi** | elements--arm-linux-gnueabihf.tar.gz | > **Note:** The guide below is for Liquid node users on macOS only. However, the process is very similar for Linux and Windows, so most users should be able to follow along. 2. Double-click the downloaded .dmg file and drag the Elements Core application into the Applications folder. ![Install_a_Liquid_Node_1___2.png](https://dxp-backend.devserver.app/uploads/help-center/content/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/set-up-a-liquid-node/900002820706.png) 3. Open Elements Core. The first time you run the application, you may be prompted with a window notifying you that: _macOS cannot verify the developer of Elements Core_. Click **Open**. ![Install_a_Liquid_Node_3__1_.png](https://dxp-backend.devserver.app/uploads/help-center/content/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/set-up-a-liquid-node/900003033363.png) If there is no **Open** option, click **Cancel**. Then open **System Preferences** → **Security & Privacy**. Click **Open Anyway** next to the notification that “Elements Core was blocked from use because it is not from an identified developer”. ![Install_a_Liquid_Node_4.png](https://dxp-backend.devserver.app/uploads/help-center/content/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/set-up-a-liquid-node/900002793683.png) 4. When you run Elements Core for the first time, the application will ask for the data directory you want to use to store the Liquid [blockchain](https://glossary.blockstream.com/blockchain/) data. Click **OK** to accept the default data directory. ![Install_a_Liquid_Node_6.png](https://dxp-backend.devserver.app/uploads/help-center/content/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/set-up-a-liquid-node/900005561003.png) If you have not installed a [Bitcoin node](https://glossary.blockstream.com/bitcoin-node/) on your machine or your Bitcoin node is currently not running, an error message will appear to notify you that Elements Core “is set to verify peg-ins but cannot get a valid response from the mainchain daemon”. ![Install_a_Liquid_Node_8.png](https://dxp-backend.devserver.app/uploads/help-center/content/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/set-up-a-liquid-node/900002821026.png) The error appears because Elements Core is [configured to validate peg-ins](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/enable-peg-in-validation-on-my-liquid-node) to the Liquid Network, which requires the application to connect to a Bitcoin node on the same device. Because Elements Core cannot locate your Bitcoin node, the application cannot find the mainchain data and is therefore unable to validate peg-ins to the Liquid Network. - **If you see the error message:** Click **OK** to close the window. Elements Core will now start downloading the Liquid blockchain. The application will run normally, but _without_ peg-in validation enabled. > **Warning:** Most features in Elements Core do not require you to run a Bitcoin node. However, if peg-in validation on your Liquid node is disabled, any peg-ins you initiate using your node will be insecure. If you plan on initiating peg-ins, run both a Bitcoin node and a Liquid node, and [enable peg-in validation](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/enable-peg-in-validation-on-my-liquid-node). - **If you do not see an error message**: Elements Core has successfully located your Bitcoin node and will immediately start its initial Liquid blockchain synchronization. Once Elements Core has downloaded the Liquid blockchain, you can use your Liquid node to send and receive Liquid assets, issue new assets, and peg in Liquid Bitcoin. Navigation: Blockstream Help Center > Liquid Network > Set up a Liquid node ## Related Articles in This Section - [Set up a Liquid node](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/set-up-a-liquid-node) (current) - [Install a Liquid node so it runs at boot time](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/install-a-liquid-node-so-it-runs-at-boot-time) - [Create a watch-only wallet with a Liquid (Elements) node](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/create-a-watch-only-wallet-with-a-liquid-elements-node) - [Peg in BTC to the Liquid Network](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/peg-in-btc-to-the-liquid-network) - [Enable peg-in validation on my Liquid node](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/enable-peg-in-validation-on-my-liquid-node) - [Issue an asset on Liquid](https://helpcenter.dxp-frontend.devserver.app/liquid-network/perform-advanced-liquid-operations/issue-an-asset-on-liquid)