What Is a Block Explorer?
A block explorer is a web-based tool that lets you browse and inspect data on a blockchain. It functions like a search engine for a distributed ledger, displaying blocks, transactions, wallet addresses, and other public blockchain data in a readable format.
Beyond simple tracking, block explorers serve as a comprehensive analytics tool. They provide insights into network health, such as hash rates, validator activity, and pending transactions waiting in the "mempool."
Each blockchain has its own dedicated explorer, such as Etherscan for Ethereum or Solscan for Solana, ensuring that all onchain activity remains permanent and verifiable by any participant without needing to trust a central authority.
On KAST, you can use a block explorer to check on card top-ups by pasting your transaction hash into the explorer and seeing exactly when your crypto moves through the network and becomes ready to spend.
How to Read a Block Explorer
When you paste a transaction hash into a block explorer, you’ll see several key details:
- Transaction Status: Shows whether the transaction is pending, confirmed, or failed.
- Block Number: The specific block where your transaction was included.
- Confirmations: The number of blocks added after yours. More confirmations mean greater finality.
- From and To Addresses: The sending and receiving wallet addresses.
- Transaction Fee: The fee paid to process the transaction on the network.
- Timestamp: The exact time the transaction was confirmed onchain.
If your top-up is still pending, it may simply be waiting to be included in a block. Once confirmed, you can see the exact moment it became part of the blockchain.
