Nodes are the backbone of decentralised blockchain networks, ensuring security, transparency, and resistance to censorship. Each node stores a copy of the blockchain and validates transactions according to the network’s consensus rules, preventing any single entity from controlling the system.

Validation & Consensus – Nodes verify transactions and blocks, rejecting invalid ones. In Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS) systems, nodes ensure miners or validators follow protocol rules, maintaining integrity.

Preventing Centralisation – A widely distributed network of nodes makes it harder for any group to manipulate the blockchain. If too few nodes exist, control could centralise, increasing risks like censorship or 51% attacks.

Network Resilience – Decentralised nodes ensure no single point of failure. If some nodes go offline, others keep the network running, unlike centralised servers that can crash or be shut down.

Transparency & Trustlessness – Since every node independently verifies transactions, users don’t need to trust a central authority. This aligns with crypto’s core principle of decentralisation.

However, challenges like node centralisation (e.g., Ethereum relying on Infura) or high hardware requirements can weaken decentralisation. Encouraging more independent node operators is crucial for maintaining a truly decentralised ecosystem.