Verona node is a free, open source blockchain daemon for developers, testers and infrastructure operators who want to run a Cosmos-ecosystem node on their own hardware. Its executable, xiond, runs as a background process that keeps a local copy of the chain up to date and answers requests from other software. The code is written in Go, and the project lists Windows alongside macOS, Linux and Docker.
The latest release is v32.1.0-rc2, a release candidate. That label means the build is still in testing before a stable launch, so it suits people who are comfortable with pre-release software. Windows is among the listed platforms, but confirm that it runs correctly on a test machine before relying on it for anything important.
What Is a Blockchain Node and Why Run One?
A blockchain node is software that stores a copy of a chain's history, checks new blocks against the network's rules and shares data with other nodes. The more independent nodes that do this, the harder it is for one party to rewrite the record. Some people run a node so they do not have to trust a third-party server when they read balances or submit transactions.
A full node keeps the data and verifies everything itself. A validator goes further by taking part in consensus, which on Cosmos-style networks means signing blocks with a dedicated key. Validators carry real responsibility, because downtime or misbehavior can lead to penalties on live networks.
A daemon is a background process that keeps running without a visible window. Operators usually watch its logs, restart it after updates and connect other tools to its local interface.
Who Verona Node Is For
Verona node suits developers who build applications on Cosmos-based chains and need a local node for testing. A typical case is a team that deploys a contract, watches how it behaves against a chain and avoids depending on a public endpoint for every request.
Infrastructure operators are the second group. If you maintain RPC endpoints for an app, a local daemon gives you control over configuration and upgrades. You might experiment on a spare Windows PC and later move the same setup to a Linux server.
Students and researchers who want to see how a Cosmos SDK style chain manages state and transactions will find the Go source useful. It is less suited to people who simply want an app for holding tokens, since a node is not a wallet.
How the Cosmos Ecosystem Fits Together
The Cosmos ecosystem is a family of independent blockchains built with a shared software framework, the Cosmos SDK. Chains built on it often use similar modules for accounts, staking and governance, yet each one runs its own network and its own token.
CosmWasm adds a way to run smart contracts on Cosmos chains. Verona node's base on the wasmd codebase reflects that combination. When the SDK and CosmWasm release updates, a node built on them has to follow, which is why the choice to track the latest releases matters to operators.
Cosmos Hub and its ATOM token are the example network for this node. Other nodes in this catalog serve different chains, so decide which network you need before choosing software.
Key features
Cosmos-ecosystem daemon
Built on the wasmd codebase
Multiple platforms
Readable Go source
Supported coins
Verona node is built for the Cosmos ecosystem, and Cosmos (ATOM) is the network explicitly tied to it. It is a node client rather than a wallet, so it does not manage token balances or hold funds for you.
How to install Verona node on Windows
- 1
Get the file from the official source
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Choose the Windows build that matches your processor and the release you plan to run. Avoid mirrors and file-sharing sites, even if they look convenient.
- 2
Verify the download
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published alongside the release, or check the signature if one is provided. If the values do not match, delete the file and download it again from the official source.
- 3
Install and make xiond reachable
Run the installer or extract the archive, then add the folder containing the xiond executable to your PATH. This lets you call the daemon from any terminal window. If you prefer containers, Docker is also supported, though protobuf commands require Docker mainly for development work.
-
Start a first test run
Open a terminal, confirm that xiond launches and read its built-in help before changing any configuration. Keep the first run on a machine that holds no valuable keys.
How to use Verona node
Verona node runs as a background process, so setup feels more like configuring a service than opening an app. The steps below assume the program is already installed.
- Open a terminal in the folder where xiond is installed and confirm that it starts.
- Create a separate directory for node data so it stays apart from other software.
- Initialize the node configuration with a name that identifies your machine.
- Point the configuration at the network you intend to join and double-check the chain identifier before syncing.
- Start the daemon and let it sync, watching the log output for peer or storage errors.
- Query the local node to confirm its sync status, then keep it running while you test.
For the first week, use the node for reading data and simple experiments. Only move to a more demanding role once you understand how the logs look during normal operation.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so the code can be read and reviewed
- Focused on the Cosmos ecosystem with a Go codebase
- Built on the wasmd base to track newer SDK and CosmWasm releases
- Lists Windows, macOS, Linux and Docker as platforms
- Active code maintenance
- The latest version is a release candidate, not a stable release
- Windows support should be tested on your own machine before production use
- Running a node requires technical knowledge and steady hardware and bandwidth
- Little guidance aimed at non-developers
Is Verona node safe?
Download Verona node only from the official website or the project's GitHub repository and Releases page. Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the published value, or verify the signature if one is offered. A mismatch means you should discard the file.
Because a node may hold validator keys, never type a seed phrase, private key or mnemonic into a third-party website, chat or form, and do not share key files with anyone. Keep the node on a machine you control. The latest version is a release candidate, so check the official website for the newest stable build before running anything important.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/burnt-labs/xion. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Compared with Gaia, the node software for the Cosmos Hub, Verona node is aimed at a CosmWasm-oriented Cosmos setup rather than one flagship chain. If your goal is the Cosmos Hub itself, Gaia is the more direct choice. Celestia App and Evmos serve other networks in the same family, while Geth and Bitcoin Core belong to the Ethereum and Bitcoin ecosystems with different designs. OpenEthereum, the former Parity client, is discontinued and is best treated as a historical reference. Pick by network first, then by tooling. Verona node's Go codebase fits teams that already work in Go.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v32.1.0-rc2
- Last update
- 29 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Unverified (Windows mentioned in docs)
- Source code
- github.com/burnt-labs/xion
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Windows is among the platforms the project lists, alongside macOS, Linux and Docker. Its Windows support has not been confirmed through independent testing, so treat the first run as a trial. Start the daemon on a non-critical machine, watch the logs for errors and only then consider longer work.
xiond is the command-line daemon that runs the Verona node. It works as a background process, connects to a Cosmos-based network and keeps a local copy of the chain state current. Other tools can reach it through local interfaces, and most people manage it through a terminal and configuration files.
Safety depends mostly on where you get the file and how you run it. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, check the SHA-256 checksum and keep private keys off shared machines. The code is open source and can be reviewed, but a release candidate deserves extra caution.
Yes. The program is listed as free and open source, so there is no license fee to download or run it. Running a node still involves hardware, bandwidth and electricity costs, and running a validator adds operational responsibility. Plan for those costs before you start.
No. Docker is one of the listed platforms, so you can use it if you prefer containers. Docker is also required for protobuf commands, which mainly matter when building from source or generating code. A native install is a reasonable option for a standard test setup.
Not automatically. A node that only syncs and answers requests earns nothing by itself, and any rewards depend on the network's rules, your stake and your uptime. No node software can promise profit, and costs or penalties can exceed income. Treat this as a technical tool, not an investment plan.
Verdict
Verona node suits developers, testers and infrastructure operators who want a free, open source Cosmos-ecosystem daemon they can read, modify and run on their own hardware. It is less suitable for anyone who wants a simple app for holding tokens, or for production validators that cannot tolerate a release candidate. Start on a test machine, verify every download and move to a stable release once one is available. If you plan to use Verona node for Windows specifically, run a short trial first.