What is a node

node refers to computers that make up the Bitcoin network and are used to verify transactions on the blockchain.

Nodes are spread across the world and talk to each other using the internet, sharing data to update Bitcoin’s distributed ledger. They ensure there is no single point of failure on the network and are a cornerstone of how decentralised blockchains work. If one node fails, the network can continue to run.

There are a few different types of nodes. Full nodes are computers that contain records of the entire blockchain, which can then be used as a reference point by light nodes, which focus on just processing transactions.

Nodes are also involved in a number of other processes for cryptocurrency, including mining and staking.