Who runs the network.
WHAT A NODE IS
A computer running the network's software, validating and relaying transactions.
WHAT A FULL NODE DOES
Holds the complete history Validates every rule independently Relays to peers
WHY THAT MATTERS
It does not trust anyone; it verifies.
WHAT A LIGHT CLIENT DOES
Holds headers only, relying on full nodes for detail.
WHAT IT SUITS
Wallets on constrained devices.
WHAT IT TRADES
Some verification, for practicality.
WHAT AN ARCHIVE NODE HOLDS
Every historical state, not only the current one.
WHY IT IS NEEDED
Querying historical data requires it.
WHAT IT COSTS
Very substantial storage.
WHAT VALIDATORS OR MINERS DO
Produce blocks, according to the network's consensus rules.
WHAT DECENTRALISATION ACTUALLY MEASURES
How distributed control is: over nodes, over block production, over development, over holdings.
WHY THAT NUANCE MATTERS
A network with many nodes but few block producers is less decentralised than it appears.
WHAT TO EXAMINE FOR ANY NETWORK
Who produces blocks, and how concentrated that is Who controls the software How holdings are distributed
WHAT CONCENTRATION IMPLIES
The properties claimed may not hold.
