What Is a Node?
A node is any computer that connects to a blockchain network and participates in validating and relaying transactions. Nodes maintain a copy of the blockchain ledger and enforce the network's consensus rules. The more nodes a network has, the more decentralized and censorship-resistant it becomes.
How Nodes Work
Types of nodes include:
- Full nodes — Store the complete blockchain and validate every transaction independently
- Light nodes — Store only block headers and request data from full nodes as needed
- Archive nodes — Store all historical states, enabling queries about past balances and contract states
- Validator nodes — Full nodes that also propose and attest to new blocks (in PoS networks)
Why It Matters for Traders
Node count is a decentralization metric that affects network security and reliability. For on-chain analysts, running your own node provides direct access to mempool data, real-time transaction monitoring, and the ability to trace funds without relying on third-party APIs. Node data feeds power many of the on-chain signals traders rely on.
