Bitcoin node

Bitcoin nodes are necessary for full functionality of the Bitcoin network. There are several ways to set up a node, but each has its own benefits and drawbacks. This article describes the different methods and their implications. The Bitcoin network is a distributed database that maintains a continuously growing list of all transactions ever made. Transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded in a public dispersed ledger called a blockchain. Bitcoin nodes use the block chain to distinguish legitimate Bitcoin transactions from attempts to re-spend coins that have already been spent elsewhere.