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🖥️ Nodes

Last verified: June 2026

A blockchain isn't stored in one place — it lives on thousands of computers called nodes, each keeping a copy and checking the rules. Here's what they are and why they matter.

What a node is

A node is simply a computer that participates in a blockchain network. Each one keeps a copy of the blockchain — the full record of every transaction — and talks to other nodes to stay in sync. When you hear that a blockchain is "decentralised," nodes are why: there's no single server to attack or switch off, because the whole network lives across thousands of independent computers around the world.

What nodes actually do

Nodes are the network's rule-keepers. When a new transaction or block appears, every node independently checks it against the rules: Is this transaction valid? Does this person actually have the coins they're trying to send? Only if a transaction passes these checks do nodes accept it and pass it on. Because every node verifies for itself, no one has to trust any single authority — the network polices itself.

Why having many nodes matters

The more independent nodes a network has, spread across different people and places, the harder it is to control, censor, or corrupt. To force through a fake version of history, you'd have to overpower a huge number of nodes at once — practically impossible on a large network. This is the heart of a blockchain's resilience: it's not protected by a fortress, but by being copied and checked everywhere at once.

Can you run one?

Yes — anyone can run a node, and on many networks ordinary enthusiasts do, using fairly modest computers. Running your own node is the most independent way to use a blockchain: you check everything yourself and rely on no one else's word. It's not necessary for everyday users (wallets and apps handle this for you), but the fact that anyone can is exactly what keeps these networks honest and open.