Block Explorer
A web-based tool that allows users to search, browse, and analyze data on a blockchain, including transactions, addresses, blocks, and smart contracts. Block explorers provide transparency by making all on-chain activity publicly viewable and verifiable.
“Etherscan is the most popular block explorer for Ethereum, letting you look up any wallet address, transaction hash, or smart contract.”
Blockchain
A distributed, append-only digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers in a way that makes it cryptographically secured and practically impossible to alter historical records. Each block contains transaction data and is linked to the previous block through a cryptographic hash, forming an immutable chain.
Address
A unique string of alphanumeric characters derived from a public key that serves as a destination for sending and receiving cryptocurrency. Addresses function similarly to bank account numbers but are pseudonymous rather than tied to a real-world identity.
Transaction Fee
A payment made to network validators or miners for processing and confirming a transaction on the blockchain. Fees incentivize block producers and prevent network spam. Fee structures vary by blockchain — Bitcoin uses a fee market based on transaction size in bytes, while Ethereum uses gas-based pricing. During congestion, fees increase as users bid for limited block space.