A “Light Node,” also known as a “Lightweight Node” or “SPV Node” (Simplified Payment Verification Node), is a type of node in a blockchain network that doesn’t store the entire blockchain’s transaction history and data. Instead, it maintains a minimal subset of the blockchain’s data while relying on other full nodes in the network to provide necessary information when needed.

Here are key characteristics and features of Light Nodes:

Minimal Data Storage: Light Nodes do not download and store the entire blockchain ledger with all transactions, blocks, and smart contract data. They only store headers of blocks and a small portion of relevant data.

Fast Syncing: Because Light Nodes don’t download the entire blockchain, they can sync with the network much faster than full nodes. This makes them suitable for mobile wallets and applications where bandwidth and storage limitations exist.

Reduced Resource Requirements: Light Nodes are less resource-intensive compared to full nodes, making them accessible for devices with limited computing power and storage capacity.

Validation Through Simplified Verification: To verify transactions, Light Nodes rely on Simplified Payment Verification (SPV), which involves checking block headers and Merkle proofs. This simplified verification method allows them to confirm transactions without downloading all block data.

Dependency on Full Nodes: Light Nodes depend on full nodes to provide information about specific transactions and smart contracts when necessary. They send queries to full nodes and receive responses.

Privacy Considerations: Light Nodes reveal less information about their users’ transactions compared to full nodes, as they do not store the complete transaction history. However, they still need to communicate with full nodes, which could potentially expose some transaction-related information.

Light Nodes are commonly used in cryptocurrency wallets, mobile apps, and lightweight clients. They allow users to interact with blockchain networks, view their balances, send and receive transactions, and verify transactions without the need for significant computational resources or storage space. However, they sacrifice some level of security and decentralization compared to full nodes since they rely on others for data validation.