What is a block explorer? How to look up any crypto transaction
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
A block explorer is a website that lets anyone search a public blockchain. Paste in a transaction ID or wallet address and it shows where the money went, how much was sent, the fee paid and whether the transaction is confirmed. Etherscan for Ethereum and mempool.space for Bitcoin are well-known examples.
How to track a payment
- Copy the transaction ID (sometimes called the hash) from your wallet or exchange.
- Open a block explorer for the right blockchain.
- Paste the ID into the search box.
- Check the status, amount, fee and number of confirmations.
What the page shows
You'll usually see the sending and receiving addresses, the amount, the fee, the block the transaction landed in and the time. A pending transaction is still waiting in the queue to be added to a block.
Privacy to keep in mind
Public blockchains are open to everyone. Anyone who knows your wallet address can see its balance and history, so think before sharing it publicly.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay platforms let customers buy, sell and hold crypto, held with regulated partners, alongside GBP, EUR and USD accounts, powered by licensed partners. SendPay doesn't offer trading tools, DeFi or lending.
Build it
Create your own financial platform.
Pick a template, name it, brand it, preview every page before you pay. Your brand, your users, your fees.
Build my platform →Questions people ask
How long until my deposit confirms?
Work out the wait for the confirmations an app needs, network by network.
Confirmation time calculator →Is this wallet address valid?
Check a Bitcoin or Ethereum address for mistakes before you send.
Crypto wallet address checker →What are blockchain confirmations?
Each new block added after your transaction counts as one confirmation.
Confirmations explained →What is the Bitcoin mempool?
The waiting room for Bitcoin transactions not yet in a block.
The mempool →What is a crypto wallet address?
The string of characters you share to receive crypto.
Wallet addresses →Read next
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.