Definition ∞ Stateless blockchain clients are network participants that can verify the state of a blockchain without storing the entire historical ledger. They rely on cryptographic proofs provided by full nodes to confirm the validity of transactions and the current state. This design significantly reduces storage and computational requirements for individual clients.
Context ∞ Stateless blockchain clients are a key advancement for improving the scalability and accessibility of decentralized networks. By reducing the burden on individual users, they promote broader participation and enhance decentralization. Research focuses on optimizing the size and generation of state proofs to make these clients even more efficient and secure for widespread adoption.