What is Etherscan?
Etherscan is a comprehensive block explorer and analytics platform for the Ethereum blockchain. It enables users to access detailed information about Ethereum transactions, wallet addresses, smart contracts, and other blockchain activities. Launched to provide transparency and insights into the Ethereum network, Etherscan functions similarly to a search engine for blockchain data, allowing users to track and verify various Ethereum-related activities in real-time.
Etherscan allows users to track transactions by entering a transaction ID (TXID) to see details such as status, block number, timestamp, sender and receiver addresses, value transferred, transaction fees, and gas prices. By exploring wallet addresses, users can view ETH balances, transaction histories, and token holdings, including ERC-20 and ERC-721 tokens. The platform also provides tools to interact with smart contracts directly from the blockchain, enabling users to read contract details, check balances, and execute functions without needing the original DApp interface.
Additionally, Etherscan features a Gas Tracker to provide real-time updates on gas prices, helping users estimate transaction costs and choose optimal times for transactions. It offers various charts and statistics, including token supplies, network activity, and gas usage, which help developers and analysts gain deeper insights into Ethereum's performance and trends. Etherscan does not provide wallet services or store any cryptocurrencies; it serves purely as a visualization and analysis tool for blockchain data.