Block Headers
sovereign assets • layer 1s • payment networks
Block headers are condensed summaries of blocks in a blockchain. Each block header contains key metadata such as the previous block’s hash, a timestamp, the Merkle root (summary of transactions), and other values depending on the blockchain’s consensus algorithm.
Block headers are used by light nodes and Simplified Payment Verification (SPV) clients to verify the validity of blocks without downloading full transaction data. They also play a critical role in linking blocks together and maintaining blockchain integrity.
By storing only block headers, light nodes can efficiently validate the chain while relying on full nodes for detailed data when needed.
Use Case: A mobile crypto wallet might rely on block headers to quickly verify that a payment has been confirmed without downloading the full blockchain, ensuring speed and efficiency for lightweight devices.
Key Concepts:
- Merkle Root — Cryptographic summary of all transactions in a block.
- Light Node — Node that verifies the blockchain using block headers instead of full data.
- Simplified Payment Verification — Method for lightweight clients to confirm transactions using block headers.
- Full Node — Stores the entire blockchain and provides complete verification data to other nodes.
Summary: Block headers are vital metadata packets that secure the blockchain structure, enable efficient verification for lightweight clients, and ensure continuity between blocks.