State Pruning

Definition ∞ State pruning is a technique used in blockchain networks to reduce the storage size required for full nodes by removing historical, non-essential data. This process involves discarding older transaction data or intermediate states that are no longer necessary for validating new blocks, while retaining only the current state of the ledger. By minimizing the amount of data nodes must store, pruning lowers hardware requirements and speeds up synchronization for new participants. It helps maintain the accessibility and scalability of decentralized networks.
Context ∞ State pruning is a recurring topic in news concerning blockchain scalability and the long-term sustainability of decentralized networks. Debates often focus on the trade-offs between storage reduction and the ability to access historical transaction data for certain applications. Ongoing research aims to develop more efficient and secure pruning methods that balance these concerns, making full node operation more feasible for a wider range of users.