Block Explorer

In short, a block explorer is a tool that provides detailed analytics about a blockchain network since its first day at the genesis block. We can say a block explorer acts as a search engine and browser where users can find information about individual blocks, public addresses, and transactions associated with a specific cryptocurrency.

Some block explorers also provide real-time statistics and market charts, as well as data about mining pools, pending transactions, network hash rate, rich list, block validators, orphan blocks, hard forks, and much more.

Depending on the type of blockchain, block explorers can also serve as a general information hub. For instance, there are thousands of ERC-20 tokens running on top of the Ethereum blockchain, and users can find data about them by checking their smart contracts on Etherscan or other Ethereum block explorer.

Block explorers are essential in the process of monitoring the current state of a cryptocurrency network. When it comes to Binance Chain, users can check the current status for BNB on the Binance Chain Explorer, including coin burn transactions and the current total supply.

Although we may have multiple block explorers in a single website, each explorer is related to a particular blockchain. Still, there may be more than one block explorer for the same blockchain (different organizations that provide a similar service). Some companies also offer crypto wallet services along with block explorers. Other than that, many websites provide an API for developers to make use of the blockchain data in other ways.