What Is a ‘Light Client’ and How Does It Utilize the Merkle Root?

A light client is a node that downloads only the block headers of a blockchain, not the full transaction data. It uses the Merkle Root, which is contained in the block header, as a cryptographic proof of all transactions within that block.

To verify a specific transaction, the light client requests the Merkle path and verifies it against the Merkle Root, efficiently confirming the transaction's inclusion without downloading the entire chain.