What is Etherscan, and How Does It Work?

In the crypto world, having the right tools at your disposal is essential for navigating your transactions. Etherscan, a leading blockchain explorer, plays a key role in the Ethereum ecosystem by giving users a powerful platform to explore and understand Ethereum wallet transactions.

In this article, we give you a comprehensive breakdown of Etherscan, exploring its features and functionalities, and how to use it effectively.

Before We Get Started

Before we continue to explore Etherscan, remember that you can manage and interact with 10M+ crypto assets across 100+ blockchains on Trust Wallet.

You can deposit crypto easily, and then view the transaction history using a blockchain explorer, like Etherscan. Read on as we discuss Etherscan in more detail.

What is Etherscan?

Etherscan is a powerful and user-friendly blockchain explorer specifically designed for the Ethereum blockchain. It serves as a search engine for the Ethereum blockchain, enabling users to easily access and understand detailed information about transactions, wallet addresses, smart contracts, and more. As one of the most popular and trusted blockchain explorers, Etherscan is an essential tool for anyone who transacts or invests in ERC-20 tokens.

Etherscan gives users a transparent view of all activities on the Ethereum blockchain. This transparency is essential for verifying transactions, monitoring wallet balances, and ensuring the integrity of the blockchain. With Etherscan, users can gain insights into the status and history of their Ethereum wallet, track the progress of transactions, and explore the details of any smart contract deployed on the network.

Etherscan's user-friendly interface and comprehensive data make it accessible to both beginners and advanced users. Whether you're a developer looking to interact with smart contracts, an investor tracking your portfolio, or simply curious about the blockchain, Etherscan offers a wide range of features to meet your needs.

Etherscan Features

Etherscan offers a robust set of features designed to provide comprehensive insights into the Ethereum blockchain. Here’s an overview of the key functionalities that make Etherscan an indispensable tool for anyone working with Ethereum.

• Transaction tracking: Etherscan helps you to search transactions by hash and see details like status, fees, and involved addresses.

• Address lookup: You can enter an Ethereum wallet address to see its entire transaction history, balance, and token holdings.

• Token information: By searching a token's contract address, you can find details like total supply, holders, and recent transactions.

• Gas tracker: This feature helps estimate gas fees by showing current prices, recommended speeds, and historical trends.

• Smart contract verification: Developers can upload smart contract code for auditing and interaction through Etherscan.

• Block explorer: You can explore individual blocks on the Ethereum blockchain, seeing details like miner, timestamp, and included transactions.

How to Use Etherscan

Using Etherscan is straightforward, thanks to its user-friendly interface. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Access the Etherscan website

Begin by visiting the Etherscan website at etherscan.io. The homepage provides a search bar at the top, which is your gateway to exploring the Ethereum blockchain.

2. Home page overview

The homepage features several sections:

• Search bar: Enter a transaction hash, wallet address, token name, or block number to search the Ethereum blockchain.

• Latest blocks: Displays the most recently mined blocks, along with details like block number, miner, and transaction count.

• Latest transactions: Lists the latest transactions on the network, including the transaction hash, sender, receiver, and amount transferred.

• Navigation menu: Provides links to various sections of the site, including tokens, charts, resources, and more.

3. Using the search bar

The search bar is the primary tool for exploring the blockchain. Here’s how you can use the search bar:

• Transactions: Enter a transaction hash to view detailed information about a specific transaction.

• Wallet addresses: Input an Ethereum wallet address to see its balance, transaction history, and token holdings.

• Tokens: Type in the name or contract address of a token to access its details and recent activities.

• Blocks: Search by block number to review the details of a specific block, including the transactions it contains.

Understanding Ethereum Wallet Data on Etherscan

Etherscan provides a wealth of information about Ethereum wallets, making it easy to monitor activity and verify details. Here’s how to understand and utilize this data:

Finding Ethereum Wallet Information

To find information about a specific Ethereum wallet, enter the wallet address into the search bar. This will take you to the wallet’s overview page, which includes several key sections. The wallet overview page displays:

• Wallet address: The public address of the wallet.

• ETH balance: The total Ethereum balance held in the wallet.

• Token holdings: A list of ERC-20 tokens held in the wallet, including quantities and values.

Viewing Transaction History

The transaction history section lists all transactions associated with the wallet. Each entry includes:

• Transaction hash: A unique identifier for each transaction.

• Block number: The block in which the transaction was included.

• Timestamp: The date and time when the transaction was confirmed.

• From/to addresses: The sender and receiver of the transaction.

• Value: The amount of ETH or tokens transferred.

• Gas fee: The transaction fee paid to the miner.

How to View Transactions on a Etherscan Using Trust Wallet

Viewing transactions on Etherscan through Trust Wallet is a simple process. Follow these steps to access transaction details:

Step 1: Open the Trust Wallet app on your device.

Begin by opening the Trust Wallet app on your device.

Step 2: Select the history button.

This button usually appears as a clock icon. Tap on it to view the list of your recent transactions.

Step 3: Select an ERC-20 transaction in your history.

In the transaction history list, locate the transaction you wish to view in more detail. Tap on this transaction to open its summary. This includes basic details such as the amount, date, and recipient address.

Step 4: Select "View on Block Explorer".

Within the transaction summary, you will find an option labeled "View on block explorer." Tap this option to be redirected to Etherscan.

Trust Wallet lets you manage and interact with 10M+ crypto assets across 100+ blockchains. Download the latest version of Trust Wallet today.

Disclaimer: Content is for informational purposes and not investment advice. Web3 and crypto come with risk. Please do your own research with respect to interacting with any Web3 applications or crypto assets. View our terms of service.

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Note: Any cited numbers, figures, or illustrations are reported at the time of writing, and are subject to change.