Node
Quick Answer
A node is a computer participating in a blockchain network by validating transactions and maintaining a copy of the ledger. Payment providers run nodes for low-latency transaction processing.
Full Definition
A node is a computer that participates in a blockchain network by maintaining a copy of the ledger, validating transactions, and propagating data to other nodes. Full nodes store the entire blockchain history, while light nodes store only headers. Payment providers run their own nodes (or use RPC providers like Alchemy, Infura, or QuickNode) to submit transactions, monitor confirmations, and query blockchain state with minimal latency.
Related Terms
Network Fee
A network fee is the cost charged by a blockchain to process a transaction, varying greatly by chain — from dollars on Ethereum mainnet to fractions of a cent on Layer 2.
Nonce
A nonce is a sequential number assigned to each transaction from a wallet, ensuring ordered processing and preventing replay attacks in payment systems.