One of the key features of blockchain is transparency. It makes transaction history available to all users of the network. However, figuring out how to access this data can be difficult.
Specialized services, such as trackers that allow you to get basic information about crypto transactions. One of them is Etherscan. We tell you how to use it to find a transaction in the blockchain.
What Is a Blockchain Explorer and Why Do You Need It?
Etherscan is a blockchain explorer. This term refers to specialized online services that allow users to view cryptocurrency transactions. They display all crypto operations recorded in the blockchain network.
Such sites are needed to:
- clarifying the current status of a transaction;
- view the history of a particular wallet;
- clarify the commission, complexity, hashing time and other parameters.
That is, explorers are an important tool for those who often pay with cryptocurrency, as they provide information that is often difficult to obtain by other means.
Etherscan Overview
The service was launched in 2015 by a team of developers from Malaysia and has since become one of the main tools for analyzing the Ethereum network. Etherscan offers the following features:
- crypto transaction tracking;
- verification of smart contracts;
- gas price calculation;
- wallet tracking;
- blockchain status monitoring;
- ERC-20 token tracking.
Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Transaction tracking
Etherscan makes it easy to find a transaction on the Ethereum blockchain. This allows users to track both incoming and outgoing operations for any address on the network.
Just enter the required address or transaction hash into the search bar, and the service will provide detailed information about the transaction, including the transfer amount, commission, status, and other parameters. Thanks to this feature, you can easily track wallet transactions in the Ethereum network.
Smart contracts verification
In addition to transactions, Etherscan provides tools to analyze and verify smart contracts — algorithms that contain the terms of a transaction and automatically execute them when the contracts clauses are fulfilled. Each smart contract on the Ethereum network has its own address, and Etherscan can be used to find out its code, balance, transactions and other data.
Verifying smart contracts is important to understand how they work and the possible risks associated with using certain applications and tokens. Tracking is available in the «Smart Contract Search» section. The source code of the contract is required to view it.
Calculating the price of gas
To complete any transaction in the Ethereum network, a so-called «gas» (i.e. commission) is paid. The service allows you to track its value in real time. This is done with the Etherscan Gas Tracker tool. It scans traffic and calculates how much gas is needed for payment.
Wallet tracking
With the help of the option, you can get information about the status of cryptocurrency wallets. The following information is provided:
- balance in ETH;
- balance in USD;
- recent transactions (including time);
- data about the multichain.
To use the function, enter the wallet address in the search bar on the main page of the service's website, then click the search icon.
Blockchain status monitoring
Blockchain explorer offers a range of important data, including:
- market capitalization;
- coin supply;
- number of token holders;
- current Ethereum exchange rate.
The main information is displayed directly on the main page of the platform's official website. To get additional data, you need to use various options.
Tracking ERC-20 tokens
The platform allows you to find any ERC-20 token in the Ether network. It is also possible to search for transactions with their use, including exchanges, transfers, payments and others. This functionality is presented in the «Tokens» section. You can view the information on the resource and download it to your computer by clicking on the «Download page data» button.
How to Use Etherscan
Let's take a look at how to use the main features of the platform.
Crypto transaction tracking
To monitor a transaction, you need to:
- click «Blockchain» on the homepage;
- select «Pending Transactions»;
- click on the magnifying glass symbol;
- insert the cryptocurrency wallet number into the box that appears;
- click «Find».
After that, a list of all crypto transactions involving the specified address will be displayed on the screen.
There is another way to search — you need to go to the «Transactions» section, download the data in the form of a table to your PC, and then find the necessary information in the downloaded file.
You do not need to register on Etherscan to search.
Smart contract information search
To use this option, follow the steps below:
- click «Developers» in the main menu;
- select «Smart Contract Search»;
- enter the contract source codes;
- click on the search icon.
There is a tool to search for similar contracts. It searches for source codes that are close in content to the one specified by the user when the «Similar» filter is active. If you set the value «Exact», it will switch to detecting 100% matches.
Gas price check
The average price of gas in gwei and US dollars is displayed on the main page in the «Med Gas Price» block. If you click on its indicator, more details will appear, including changes in value and indicators for large transactions.
Etherscan — a Reliable Ethereum Explorer
Etherscan is an online platform for tracking cryptocurrency transactions in Ethereum. It provides insights into crypto transaction status, smart contracts, blockchain network fees, wallet history, and other important data.
There is an Ethereum-based NFT tracking option. Almost all the service's tools are absolutely free and available without registration.
