In the @Aptos blockchain, there are two types of nodes: full nodes and light nodes. Full nodes are the heavy lifters. They store the entire blockchain ledger, validate every transaction and block independently, and act as the backbone of security and decentralization. These nodes verify and propagate transactions across the network, ensuring the rules are followed and malicious activity is rejected. Because they maintain the full history of the blockchain, they also provide redundancy, so the network stays robust even if some nodes go offline. In short, full nodes keep Aptos trustworthy, consistent, and ready for global-scale operations. (1/3) 🧵👇

Light nodes take a different approach. Instead of holding the entire blockchain, they store only the minimum information needed to verify the network’s current state. They lean on full nodes for detailed historical data and for broadcasting their transactions. This makes them lightweight and fast, perfect for mobile apps, web integrations, and devices that cannot handle the resource load of a full node. Light nodes still benefit from the security of the Aptos network because they rely on verified data from full nodes. By reducing hardware requirements, light nodes make Aptos more accessible to a broader audience of developers and users. (2/3)

The split between full nodes and light nodes in Aptos is a technical choice & a design philosophy.. Full nodes maximize security and decentralization, while light nodes maximize accessibility and performance (so i need to be a light node in the near future toooo at least) Together, they create a balanced architecture that supports high transaction throughput, large user bases, and a wide range of applications. This balance is key to Aptos scaling without sacrificing trust. Whether you are running a high-performance validator setup or integrating Aptos into a simple mobile wallet, the network’s node architecture ensures you get the right balance of speed, security, and scalability. (3/3)