What is the difference between a validator and a full node in Avalanche?

• A. A validator participates in consensus and earns rewards; a full node supports network services and validation only if staked and authorized.
• B. A validator does not participate in consensus.
• C. A full node earns rewards.
• D. A validator is a type of wallet.

Answer: (A)

Validators actively participate in consensus by staking AVAX and validating blocks, which helps finalize transactions and secure the network; because of this role, they earn staking rewards. Full nodes, meanwhile, keep a copy of the blockchain and provide network services such as data serving and API access. They don’t vote in consensus or earn rewards unless they also become validators by staking and being authorized. So the difference is clear: validators are the decision-makers in consensus who receive rewards, while full nodes support the network's operation and data flow unless they take on validator status.