Introduction

Etherscan is a blockchain explorer for the Ethereum network that helps users find information about transactions, blocks, wallet addresses, smart contracts, and other on-chain data. Etherscan is one of the most popular blockchain explorers and is freely available to Ethereum users.

Using Etherscan helps users accurately understand interactions between blockchains, wallet addresses, and other decentralized applications (DApps). These services can provide users with useful information, such as alerts about suspicious activities for security purposes.

To use Etherscan, users must provide a wallet address, Ethereum transaction ID (TXID), contract address, or other identifier. The information that can be searched depends on the user’s needs, but most searches will include transactions, wallet addresses, timestamps, and related amounts.

Additionally, users can interact directly with smart contracts on Etherscan to conduct transactions, check gas fees on the platform, or search for promotional information related to airdrops and other offers.

What is Etherscan?

Etherscan is one of the most popular blockchain explorers. It allows users to view and trade on the Ethereum blockchain, and public information such as smart contracts, wallet addresses, and other related data can be queried through Etherscan.

All user activities on Ethereum are generally public, and Etherscan provides search engine-like query functions. The most common query is to check activities associated with a transaction ID, including tokens, smart contracts, and wallet addresses.

Like most browsers in the Web2 domain, Etherscan can be used without registration. However, users can access additional features by creating an account, similar to the account functions integrated into many browsers. Users’ accounts will not be mixed with their original smart wallets; they are separate accounts.

Etherscan is a tool-heavy blockchain explorer. It does not provide any Ethereum wallets that can be used or store any private keys for users.

Benefits of Using Etherscan

Thanks to Ethereum’s large user base over the years, Etherscan has always been considered one of the most reliable and popular mainstream blockchain explorers.

Many users have started using Etherscan because they need a tool to easily query vast information about transactions and contracts. The amount of on-chain information is overwhelming, and relying on traditional media to understand market information can easily result in missing the best opportunities.

Querying various information through Etherscan allows users to better understand current market dynamics. For investors with some blockchain knowledge, using Etherscan can help them further understand the relevant content of various DApps and market transactions. It also protects their assets by helping users observe relevant market information.

For example, Etherscan will notify users as soon as a large amount of cryptocurrency is moved to an exchange. Although this information may not affect users’ decision-making, it likely indicates large-scale selling behaviour. Users can see how the project team handles their project tokens.

Popular token rankings and various transaction information related to Ethereum’s contract standards can also be viewed through Etherscan. Currently, popular tokens and transaction transfer information of ERC720, ERC721, and ERC1155 can be directly queried on Etherscan.

Information related to Ethereum’s price, supply, market value, nodes, and transaction fees can be directly queried through Etherscan. However, the most valuable function of Etherscan for users is its ability to keep them informed about real-time information on projects they are following and participating in. This helps users understand the current project status and respond early.

How to Use Etherscan to Query Transactions and Wallet Addresses

Source: etherscan.io

Etherscan’s basic function is to track on-chain transaction information. Users only need to understand how to use it to track their cryptocurrency, which is the key method to obtain all blockchain information using Etherscan.

Suppose a user sends cryptocurrency within the Ethereum block to a wallet address. After confirming the send and paying the corresponding gas fee, a TXID can be obtained in their wallet.

To check the number of confirmations and see if the transaction was successfully sent, go to Etherscan to query the relevant information about the transaction.

To query detailed information about the transaction, users only need to go to https://cn.etherscan.com/, the Etherscan homepage, and enter the TXID in the search bar.

Of course, directly searching for the transaction receiving address can also check the transaction status and list, including an overview of the wallet balance.

How to Use Etherscan to Query Smart Contracts

Source: etherscan.io

If users participate in a project over a period and are associated with smart contracts, they must know if their wallet address has been written into the contract.

Similarly, when participating in transactions in some projects, it is necessary to promptly check information related to the contract, especially when it involves long-term linear returns, which is particularly important for many users.

Relevant content can be queried through Etherscan. For example, when participating in certain NFT projects’ pre-sale activities, you can check the contract writing status through Etherscan after sending the corresponding funds. This confirms that the funds sent have gone to the correct address, avoiding unnecessary fraud.

The most commonly used function for querying contracts is for cryptocurrencies, as this is the largest transaction category in the market. When querying the corresponding smart contract address on Etherscan, the logic of the cryptocurrency itself, such as methods for transferring funds, dividends, and other behaviors, is included.

Different cryptocurrencies correspond to different contracts. Users can query the official websites of these cryptocurrencies or directly search for the corresponding currencies on Etherscan to find the corresponding contract addresses.

By entering the contract address in Etherscan’s search bar, you can see detailed information about the contract’s balance and other information related to the cryptocurrency contract. Etherscan provides more options, including transactions, messages, and the smart contract. Users can view interactive options and read the cryptocurrency’s rules.

Information related to the corresponding contract can also be viewed within, providing users with operational options. Users can check the balance information of the contract directly in their wallet after operating on a specific address.

Moreover, Etherscan allows users to add their wallet addresses and interact directly with the contracts, such as transferring funds or writing. However, these functions are not commonly used by general users, and such actions are usually carried out on the corresponding cryptocurrency project’s platform. If the platform server crashes, users can complete their actions through Etherscan.

Source: etherscan.io

Users can also publish their contracts on Etherscan; the browser will provide verification functions.

How to Use Etherscan to View Real-Time Gas Prices?

Gas prices are part of the transaction fees on the Ethereum network and can fluctuate based on the block in which the user is transacting.

Each block experiences different transaction fees due to variations in traffic volume. Etherscan’s gas price tracking tool allows users to monitor cryptocurrency price fluctuations and observe how time affects these changes.

This practical tool can help users predict network congestion and estimate the gas fees required for transactions or contract interactions, aiding in strategic decision-making.

Source: etherscan.io

How to Use Etherscan to Query On-Chain Data?

Etherscan makes querying blockchain data within Ethereum straightforward. It aggregates overall views, transactions, tokens, and networks, presenting this data on an integrated page. This allows users to easily access addresses, 24-72 hour activity volumes, and supply volumes of different block networks. Users can also find the information they need through other paths within Etherscan.

Source: etherscan.io

Using the Ethereum Directory page on Etherscan, users can directly query various active metrics within Ethereum, including:

Source: etherscan.io

Lists of exchanges on Ethereum, wallet applications supporting Ethereum, and links for querying cryptocurrency prices and lists.

Users can view various addresses involved in transactions and different blocks within Ethereum directly on the homepage. More precise data is usually obtained by querying specific contracts and wallet addresses.

Source: etherscan.io

Source: etherscan.io

The total transaction volume on Ethereum within a certain period can also be visually presented through charts on Etherscan.

Source: etherscan.io

Etherscan Updates

Etherscan Acquires Solscan

In May 2023, Etherscan announced its acquisition of Solscan, a blockchain explorer for the Solana network. This acquisition will help Etherscan expand into other blockchain ecosystems, providing Solana users with better blockchain exploration and analysis tools. Solscan will continue to operate as an independent brand and collaborate closely with the Etherscan team to advance the Solana ecosystem’s development.

EIP-1559 Support Update

With the introduction of Ethereum EIP-1559, Etherscan has updated its support for the protocol. Users can now view the composition of transaction fees on the transaction details page, including base fees, tips, and fuel usage. This information helps users better understand the changes brought by EIP-1559 and optimize their transaction fees.

Etherscan Product Updates

New Function in the Method Column

Etherscan has added a new function to the Method column on the transaction details page. Users can now quickly view detailed information and related resources for a particular type of transaction by clicking on the transaction type in the Method column. This new feature greatly enhances the user experience, making it more convenient to view transaction details.

Etherscan Cards

Etherscan Cards is a new feature that allows users to create and share custom data cards on Etherscan. These cards can include charts, metrics, and statistics that reflect specific activities and metrics on the blockchain. Users can customize data cards and share them with others based on their interests and needs. This feature greatly enhances Etherscan’s data visualization and sharing capabilities.

These new features improve the user experience and expand Etherscan’s capabilities in blockchain analysis. As Etherscan deepens its integration into the Ethereum and Solana ecosystems, more innovative features are expected to emerge, providing users with even better services.

Conclusion

Etherscan is highly regarded and widely used due to its fee-free access and user-friendly interface. In addition to the core functions discussed earlier, Etherscan offers a range of features including information retrieval, mining pool data, blockchain basics, and real-time price and trend information for various exchanges and cryptocurrencies.

Another valuable resource on the Etherscan platform is the Ethereum Charts & Statistics page. This page provides links to numerous cryptocurrency websites and presents data in an easy-to-understand chart format, which is particularly helpful for new blockchain users.

Ethereum Charts & Statistics serves as an excellent entry point for learning about blockchain technology, saving users time when searching for and accessing relevant websites.

Source: etherscan.io

In summary, Etherscan is an outstanding tool. It provides information about wallets and exchanges and quickly offers methods for learning and using blockchain technology.

Etherscan is also the foundation for other blockchain explorers like BscScan. By becoming familiar with Etherscan, users can easily adapt to other blockchain explorers. It is an excellent tool for both beginners and regular users in the blockchain space.