Jun 7, 2025
A blockchain explorer is a tool that lets you track and view transactions, wallet balances and block details on a blockchain in real time. Are you ready to learn how to use the information to your advantage?
Kacper Tomasiak
Web & SEO Manager at Swapped.com
Blockchain. The technology is growing day by day and attracting new users faster than ever before. So, what are blockchain explorers, and how can you read and use this public record to your advantage? Explore this topic and uncover the mysteries it holds.
Intro to blockchain explorers
Blockchain is a chain of blocks, a public ledger where all transaction data is saved, including the timestamp, amount, transacting parties, and more. However, analyzing this data is difficult for people without any prior experience and technical background. That’s where blockchain explorers step in. A blockchain explorer is a “book” that you can open on any page and read the data. While at the beginning it doesn’t make any sense, and you may even ask yourself why you would do such a thing, the more time you spend in the crypto space, the more you realize that a difference between profit and loss is just a few searches away.
Blockchain explorers may provide you an unfair advantage or protect your funds if used correctly.
How blockchain explorers work
Blockchain explorers let you connect directly to a node or a group of nodes in a blockchain network that index and store the data in a database, which can be accessed through a website. Most explorers update data in real-time (with slight delays), allowing for better tracking.
Every action on the blockchain, from swapping tokens to minting an NFT, is recorded and stored in a block. You can access all this structured metadata in a way that’s readable and somewhat easy to understand.
Key features of blockchain explorers
Blockchain explorers are robust tools with an array of features for both beginners and advanced users.
Transaction search is a way of seeing if a transaction ever happened on the network and whether it’s already confirmed or still pending.
By utilizing an address lookup feature, you can view the entire history of a wallet, including current balance and transactions.
Seeing a block history, on the other hand, can get you the latest block heights, sizes, and numbers of transactions in each one.
More advanced users can view smart contract interactions as well as see and review their code.
Lastly, keeping an eye on gas fees is wise to always know the market rate and not overpay, but also make sure the transaction isn’t pending forever.
How to use a blockchain explorer?
Let’s say you’ve just sent some ETH to a friend. You are still unsure if the transaction went through and reached its destination. All you need is the transaction hash that you should copy from your wallet and paste it into a blockchain explorer, in this case, Etherscan. Next you’ll see data such as confirmation status, sender and recipient, value of coins, paid fee, and timestamp. It may seem overwhelming at first, but the more times you do it, the easier it gets.
If you’re hungry for more information, you can paste your own wallet address and see the entire transaction history.
Popular blockchain explorers
Each crypto with its own network has its blockchain explorer. Etherscan for Ethereum, Solscan for Solana, and BscScan for Binance Smart Chain are among the most popular ones.
What is Etherscan?
Etherscan, also often referred to as “the Google of Ethereum”, is your go-to blockchain explorer when it comes to researching the Ethereum network. With its highly intuitive interface, you can browse all the transactions, blocks, and tokens available, slowly becoming familiar with research.
What is Solscan?
Solana’s architecture makes the blockchain incredibly fast, and Solscan serves its purpose when trying to access the latest updates in real-time, DeFi apps, and important network data.
What is BscScan?
With the rise of Binance and Ethereum’s gas fees, BSC’s ecosystem has developed incredibly fast and is almost as large as Ethereum itself. Built by the same team behind Etherscan, BscScan offers the same quality of tools, but for the BNB chain. Use it to unlock the potential of decentralized swaps, DeFi apps, and network analytics.
Evolution of blockchain explorers
Blockchain explorers deliver data in real-time, but a lot has changed since the first one went live. The next generation of research tools originated, all created with different purposes in mind—from connecting real-world identities to blockchain addresses to preventing fraud and ensuring compliance in the crypto world. Sounds intriguing?
What is Arkham?
Arkham attempts to make blockchain technology even more transparent with address labeling. Many whales are labeled with their respective names, whether they’re an exchange or someone important, so next time they make a move, you can’t miss it.
What is Nansen?
Nansen also labels addresses but offers many standout features such as tagging, which can help you find whales, airdrop farmers, and early memecoin snipers. Then, you can easily decide which addresses you avoid and where you search for the alpha.
What is Chainalysis?
Chainalysis, while not used by the general public, offers excellent information for institutions and regulators. The tool focuses on tracing funds sources and detecting illicit activities like money laundering or other suspicious transactions. This way exchanges are aware that such funds can be frozen, and there’s hope of returning them back to the original owner.
Ahead of the market
Why are blockchain explorers and other tools alike gaining popularity? Because the data that’s on the blockchain influences market moves and carries real, tangible value. Since blockchain data is complex and hard to decipher for an average user, new and simple tools were created.
Why should you care? As crypto becomes more mainstream, the data is more about having an edge in the market.
Blockchain is a large dataset divided into blocks, which consist of many transactions.
What is an on-chain analysis?
In simple terms, on-chain analysis is all about studying blockchain data to gain insights into market participants' behavior, investor sentiment, and market health. Unlike technical analysis, it’s fully data-driven and transparent. It includes tracking wallet behavior, analyzing money flow, and recognizing network usage patterns.
How do traders use blockchain explorers?
For trades, checking on-chain data is a part of a daily routine. It matters most especially to those who trade on decentralized exchanges and buy illiquid coins. Reviewing smart contracts, supply distribution, and watching insiders are just some of many daily activities. Always checking twice is a common rule—better to be safe than sorry!
Explorers as research tools
Blockchain explorers are critical for research and community oversight. Such activities include but are not limited to auditing a project’s treasury and verifying token airdrops and token burns, just to name a few. Explorers also support the key values of blockchain, like decentralization and transparency, making it harder to hide malicious activities.
By tracking a transaction on a blockchain, you can monitor its progress and trace the movement of assets.
Your next step
It really doesn’t matter how you found yourself in the crypto world. Today’s age is extremely competitive, and learning how to use blockchain explorers and similar tools to your advantage is not a privilege anymore; it’s a must. The more you understand the chain, the less you rely on influencers and hype and the more control you have over your data-driven financial decisions.
Resources
If you're interested in diving deeper and expanding your knowledge of blockchain explorers, here are some suggestions:
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