def get_bitcoind_client():
    """
    Connect to the bitcoind node
    """
    bitcoind_opts = get_bitcoin_opts()
    bitcoind_host = bitcoind_opts['bitcoind_server']
    bitcoind_port = bitcoind_opts['bitcoind_port']
    bitcoind_user = bitcoind_opts['bitcoind_user']
    bitcoind_passwd = bitcoind_opts['bitcoind_passwd']
    
    return create_bitcoind_service_proxy(bitcoind_user, bitcoind_passwd, server=bitcoind_host, port=bitcoind_port)