Etherscan Explorer - Guide

Introduction

Etherscan is a vital tool for anyone interested in exploring Ethereum transactions, smart contracts, tokens or NFTs. It provides a rich, detailed view into the workings of the Ethereum blockchain.

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Section 1: Getting Started with Etherscan

1. Etherscan is an Ethereum blockchain explorer that allows you to view data on the Ethereum blockchain.

2. The search bar can be used to look up wallets, smart contract addresses, transactions, tokens or NFTs.

• Insight: Remember, Etherscan isn't just a blockchain explorer; it's also an analytics platform.

Section 2: Understanding Blocks and Transactions

1. You can track the latest blocks and transactions on Ethereum, updated in real-time.

2. For each block, you can view detailed information like transaction count, the validator, the reward and the gas fee.

3. For each transaction, you can view the status, Block ID, sender and recipient addresses, type of tokens transacted, transaction value in ETH and USD, transaction fee and gas fee.

• Expert Tip: If you're tracking a transaction, you can enter the transaction ID into the search bar to check its status.

Section 3: Exploring Wallets and Smart Contracts

1. Clicking on any wallet address gives you detailed information about the wallet's balance in ETH and USD, past transactions and token holdings.

2. You can search for smart contract addresses to see if they have been audited or verified. However, verification doesn't guarantee 100% safety.

• Insight: Use Etherscan's analytics tab to see a wallet's historical balance over time.

Section 4: Utilising Etherscan as an Analytics Platform

• Under the "Resources" tab, you can find various metrics on Ethereum, such as daily transactions or total unique addresses.

• The "More" tab contains tools like the "Gas Tracker", which can help you understand the current gas prices based on network congestion.

• Expert Tip: If you've bought an NFT, you can track it on Etherscan by entering your wallet address into the search bar, then go to the “ERC 721 Txns” section and click "View NFT."



Conclusion

Etherscan is an essential tool for anyone interested in understanding and interacting with the Ethereum blockchain. As one of the longest-running independent projects built around Ethereum, it provides an easy-to-navigate visual interface to a complex world.