What Is A Full Node?

A full node independently verifies the entirety of the Bitcoin blockchain. It checks compliance with Bitcoin's consensus rules by downloading and inspecting every transaction and block, rejecting any that breach these guidelines. Full nodes contribute to the network's robustness by accepting, validating, and relaying transactions and blocks to other nodes. They also assist lightweight clients by processing their transactions and notifying changes in their wallets. Ensuring a sufficient number of active full nodes is crucial for maintaining the decentralized nature of Bitcoin.