bitcoin is the most decentralized cryptocurrency that exists and there are thousands of full nodes running 24/7
Is there any information to back this? Are full node operators actually in their thousands? I have always has the fear that the number of people running full node is reducing drastically.
Yes, there are tens of thousands or more
https://www.bitstamp.net/learn/crypto-101/what-are-bitcoin-blockchain-nodes/Keeping Bitcoin decentralized
The Bitcoin network depends on the many random, unconnected users who run full nodes on their computers and thus keep Bitcoin decentralized. There are currently over
10,000 reachable full nodes distributed across the world.
It is likely that the actual number of nodes is much higher. These are just those that can be reached by any node. Many nodes are inaccessible for several reasons. They might have gone offline or their owners might have chosen to disable incoming connections and, therefore, can’t be reached.