diff --git a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/dependencies.rs b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/dependencies.rs
index 4b8668ee..5882d3e0 100644
--- a/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/dependencies.rs
+++ b/core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/dependencies.rs
@@ -70,10 +70,10 @@ pub(super) fn check_install_deps(package_id: &str, deps: &RunningDeps) -> Result
                 missing.join(" and ")
             ))
         }
-        "fedimint" if !deps.has_bitcoin => Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
-            "Fedimint requires a running Bitcoin node (Bitcoin Knots). \
-             Please install and start Bitcoin Knots first."
-        )),
+        "fedimint" if !deps.has_bitcoin => {
+            info!("Fedimint installing without local Bitcoin node — configure remote Bitcoin RPC in Fedimint guardian setup");
+            Ok(())
+        }
         _ => Ok(()),
     }
 }
@@ -185,6 +185,12 @@ pub(super) fn configure_fedimint_lnd(
         && std::path::Path::new(lnd_macaroon).exists()
     {
         info!("LND detected with credentials — configuring gateway in lnd mode");
+
+        // Read bcrypt hash from secrets file, fall back to default
+        let fedi_hash = std::fs::read_to_string("/var/lib/archipelago/secrets/fedimint-gateway-hash")
+            .map(|s| s.trim().to_string())
+            .unwrap_or_else(|_| "$2y$10$t9YjjxkiktrlYvjajB/zgOMDnSNVg4HqrbDqh47u7Jf42whNdxNqC".to_string());
+
         ports.retain(|p| p != "9737:9737");
         volumes.push(format!("{}:/lnd/tls.cert:ro", lnd_cert));
         volumes.push(format!("{}:/lnd/admin.macaroon:ro", lnd_macaroon));
@@ -195,7 +201,7 @@ pub(super) fn configure_fedimint_lnd(
             "--listen".to_string(),
             "0.0.0.0:8176".to_string(),
             "--bcrypt-password-hash".to_string(),
-            "$2y$10$t9YjjxkiktrlYvjajB/zgOMDnSNVg4HqrbDqh47u7Jf42whNdxNqC".to_string(),
+            fedi_hash,
             "--network".to_string(),
             "bitcoin".to_string(),
             "--bitcoind-url".to_string(),