Pruned node
A full node that verifies everything, then throws away old blocks to save disk.
In plain words
A pruned node does everything a full node does — downloads and checks every block from the beginning. Then it deletes old block data, keeping what matters for new payments: the set of unspent coins. Security is identical, because nothing skipped the checking. The costs: it cannot serve old blocks to other nodes, and restoring an old wallet means downloading again.
Why it matters
- Full-node security on a small disk.
- It puts "run your own node" within nearly anyone's reach.
- Verification is never outsourced. Only storage shrinks.
Numbers that matter
- 550 MB — the minimum block storage you can prune to.
Not to be confused with
- Light client — trusts others to check. A pruned node trusts nothing; it just stores less.
Go deeper
Updated 2026-07-29