Node

A node is a computer running blockchain software that keeps a copy of the ledger and relays transactions and blocks to other nodes. A full node independently verifies every rule — signatures, balances, issuance limits — so it never has to trust anyone else's version of history, while lightweight nodes check only part of the data and rely on full nodes for the rest. The more independently operated nodes a network has, the harder it becomes for any single party to censor transactions or quietly change the rules. Running your own node is optional for ordinary users, who normally connect through a wallet or exchange, but nodes are what ultimately enforce a blockchain's consensus rules and keep the network decentralised.