Reading on-chain
Reading a transaction in the block explorer
A block explorer is a network's public ledger. Understanding the fields means never again relying on an app's status bar.
The transaction hash is your evidence
Every transaction has a unique hash permanently referring to that payment message. Keep it for every transfer.
Search the hash in the explorer of the right network; networks do not share ledgers.
Status, confirmations and block height
Pending means broadcast but not yet in a block. Failed means processed but not executed — on Ethereum that still costs gas.
Confirmations count the blocks stacked on top; more confirmations make reversal practically impossible.
- Pending: sent, awaiting inclusion
- Failed: included but not executed
- Confirmations: deeper is more final
Addresses, amounts and fees
The explorer shows sender, receiver, amount and fees paid; token transfers appear separately under the transaction.
For tokens, check the contract address rather than the name — names can be copied.
Common situations
A long-pending transaction usually carried too low a fee; depending on the network you can speed it up or replace it.
Funds that seem lost are often at the right address on the wrong network, especially with multi-chain stablecoins.
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External parties. Block #9 does not hold or manage your assets at these providers. Not investment advice.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my transaction hash?
In your wallet or exchange history, usually labelled TxID or transaction hash.
How many confirmations are enough?
Many parties use three to six for bitcoin; larger amounts justify waiting longer.
Can I cancel a sent transaction?
Not once confirmed. While pending, some networks allow a replacement with a higher fee.
Read next
Gas: why your fees differ by the minute
Why fees vary, how gas limit and fee per gas interact, and how to pay structurally less without added risk.
On-chain data: what actually means something?
Which on-chain numbers say something about real usage and which are mostly noise, with the pitfalls per metric.
When is a crypto payment truly final?
Why exchanges wait for multiple blocks, what finality means under proof-of-stake and how many confirmations suffice.