Overview
Light nodes (or SPV - Simplified Payment Verification nodes) allow users with limited storage or bandwidth (like mobile phone users) to interact with a blockchain securely.
How it Works
Instead of verifying the entire chain, light nodes rely on full nodes to provide them with the necessary data. They use Merkle proofs to verify that a specific transaction is included in a block without needing the full block data.
Trade-offs
- Pros: Low resource requirements, fast setup.
- Cons: Lower privacy and security compared to full nodes, as they must trust full nodes for some information.