Unlocking the Blockchain: A Beginner’s Guide to Ethereum Nodes

Ethereum runs on a network of thousands of computers called nodes. These nodes store blockchain data, validate transactions, and let external software (wallets, dApps, bots) talk to the network. If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually running behind MetaMask or your favorite DeFi app, it’s nodes, and this post explains how they work.

What Is Ethereum and Why Does It Matter?

Ethereum is a decentralized platform for running smart contracts, programs that execute automatically based on coded rules, and decentralized applications (dApps) built on top of them. DeFi, NFTs, and most of the interesting stuff in crypto runs on Ethereum.