Exploring Transactions: What is a Block Explorer?

16 Nov 2023 by Harry Newman 3 min read

Cryptocurrency transactions are at the heart of blockchains, being able to visualise the process and view other information is essential when conducting transactions.

Blockchain technology is often praised for its transparency, being able to explore transactions through block explorers is a key part of upholding this.

Blockchain Explorers

Blockchain explorers are online tools that allow users to explore and navigate a blockchain transaction history.

Blockchain explorers act as search engines, allowing users to enter a crypto address and view the transaction history of that address.

Users explore comprehensive data about each block in the blockchain, this includes details such as the block’s hash, timestamp, size and the number of transactions it contains.

This transparency on the blockchain promotes trust within a decentralised ecosystem.

Exploring transactions through blockchain explorers offers a real-time update on transactions, allowing users to monitor the movement of cryptocurrencies across the network.

The functionality of blockchain explorers isn't just for the main blockchain, all tokens built on that blockchain can be viewed on the blockchain explorer.

For anyone in the crypto ecosystem, a blockchain explorer serves as an important tool to provide a visual and interactive experience that educates a user on how a transaction works.

Blockchain explorers don't just have to be used to view transactions, you have the ability to view transactions from any wallet on that blockchain, tracing the flow of funds from other users or projects.

Examples of Blockchain Explorers

Exploring transactions can be done on any blockchain, to find a block explorer all you need to do is type the cryptocurrency of choice and add Block Explorer at the end into a search engine.

Then all that is required is a crypto wallet address to search on the Block Explorer.

All blockchains have different blockchain explorers; some well-known explorers on popular blockchains are listed below.

Ethereum uses etherscan as its blockchain explorer. You can explore the Ethereum blockchain for transactions, addresses, tokens, prices and other activities taking place on the Ethereum blockchain.

Blockchain.com offers a way for users to explore transactions from the Bitcoin network.

Solana transactions are explored through solscan, you can explore transaction information about every crypto on the Solana blockchain.

Final Thoughts

Blockchain explorers give users the ability to trace transactions. Visualising the process helps users understand the blockchain better.

Every blockchain has a blockchain explorer, all that is required is a wallet address and you can view every transaction from that wallet.

Blockchain explorers are essential for cryptocurrency users, as blockchains are transparent making it easier to trace the flow of funds and monitor specific wallets.