monero-site/_i18n/en/resources/moneropedia/bootstrap-node.md

terms	summary
bootstrap-node bootstrap-nodes	A node to which a daemon connects to give immediate usability to wallets while syncing

The Basics

The daemon running on a local @node has to sync with other (remote) @nodes. While it is not fully synced, @wallet may still be connected to the local node. Therefore, the @wallet cannot access the @blocks that are bot yet synced on the local @node.

To allow the @wallet to be immediately usable, the daemon on the local @node uses a bootstrap node to which the RPC request are proxying to, giving access to the missing @blocks.

Note: the replies from the bootstrap node may be untrustworthy.