Node
A computer running blockchain software that maintains a copy of the ledger and helps validate/relay transactions.
In-Depth Explanation
Full nodes store the complete blockchain and independently verify all transactions against consensus rules. Light nodes store only headers and verify specific transactions. More nodes = more decentralization and censorship resistance. Running a node requires disk space, bandwidth, and computation—Ethereum requires ~1TB storage.
Related Terms
Validator
A participant in a proof-of-stake network who stakes tokens and is responsible for proposing and attesting to new blocks.
Blockchain
A distributed, immutable ledger that records transactions across a network of computers using cryptographic linking.
Consensus Mechanism
The method by which a blockchain network agrees on the current state of the ledger and validates new transactions.
More in Infrastructure
View all →Gas Fees
Transaction fees paid to validators/miners for executing operations on a blockchain.
Gwei
A denomination of Ether equal to one billionth of an ETH, commonly used to express gas prices.
Layer 2
L2Scaling solutions built on top of a base blockchain (L1) that process transactions off-chain while inheriting L1 security.
Layer 1
L1The base blockchain that provides security and consensus, such as Ethereum, Bitcoin, or Solana.