Full Nodes: Full nodes are the backbone of a blockchain network. They maintain a complete copy of the ledger, validate transactions, and participate in the consensus process. By doing so, they contribute significantly to the network's security and integrity.

Light Nodes: Light nodes, on the other hand, do not maintain a complete copy of the blockchain. They rely on full nodes for information and verification of transactions. This limited functionality means they play a less critical role in maintaining the network's security and integrity.

Resource Investment and Network Contribution

Resource Commitment: Full nodes require significant resources in terms of storage, processing power, and network bandwidth. Operating a full node often involves substantial hardware and energy costs.

Light Nodes' Limited Investment: Light nodes, conversely, require minimal resources. They are designed to be lightweight and accessible, even on devices with limited capabilities like smartphones.

Security and Trust in the Network

Ensuring Network Security: Full nodes help secure the network by independently verifying transactions and blocks. This decentralized verification process is crucial to maintaining the blockchain's trust and security.

Dependence of Light Nodes: Light nodes depend on full nodes for transaction verification and blockchain information. This dependency means light nodes do not directly contribute to the network's trust model in the same way full nodes do.

Network Efficiency and Scalability

Scalability Concerns: If light nodes were to receive protocol emissions, it could lead to an inefficient system. An influx of light nodes, attracted by the rewards but not contributing significantly to network security, could lead to scalability issues.

Focus on Essential Contributors: By limiting rewards to full nodes, the network ensures that those who are investing resources and contributing to its security and efficiency are properly incentivized.

The Philosophy of Decentralization

Upholding Decentralization: In the spirit of decentralization, blockchain networks aim to reward those who contribute to the distributed and trustless nature of the system. Full nodes embody this principle by their significant role in decentralization.

Problem

Running light nodes has many benefits for the network but are there a benefits for the individual?

Costs

Electricity
Hardware
Internet
Time

Rewards

Being a good citizen

Solution

Offer reasonable incentives for running light nodes.

Covers the cost of electricity

Can run on personal computers

Limited bandwidth

One click download and run

This incentivized model has been deployed explored in different niches

Honeygain: Bandwidth sharing is the main way to make passive income with our app
Pokt: Full node operators earn POKT token rewards by validating relays and transactions.
Storj: Those that rent out their hard drives earn STORJ tokens in return.

Lestian aims to use similar models to incentivize light node runners.