How do nodes impact privacy in the bitcoin ecosystem?

Long Answer: Nodes are integral components of the bitcoin ecosystem, as they maintain and validate transaction records on the bitcoin network. Every transaction made on the network is recorded in a decentralized manner across numerous nodes. While these records contain details of transactions, they do not reveal the real-world identities of the participants. Instead, they display alphanumeric addresses. However, using the same address for multiple transactions can potentially allow pattern recognition and identification of users. By employing best practices, such as using a different address for every transaction and running your node, you can maintain greater anonymity and privacy.