If you have ever transferred SOL on-chain and wondered how you can check transactions, then Solscan is your tool. Solscan is a Solana token explorer web app that allows you to check transaction details by simply using your wallet address or transaction hash.
In this article, we will explore what Solscan is and how you can leverage it to monitor and manage your Solana investments effectively. Whether you’re tracking your transactions, looking up wallet addresses, or analyzing tokens, Solscan offers a comprehensive suite of tools to make navigating the Solana blockchain straightforward.
What Is Solscan?
Solscan is a blockchain explorer specifically designed for the Solana network. It provides users with a detailed view of activities on the Solana blockchain, allowing them to explore everything from SOL token metrics, transaction history, and wallet addresses, to NFT and DeFi activities.
As Solana has gained popularity due to its high-performance capabilities—featuring fast transaction speeds and low costs—there’s been a growing demand for reliable tools to monitor and manage blockchain activities. Solscan was developed to meet this demand, offering transparency and accessibility to users, developers, and researchers.
In early 2024, Solscan was acquired by Etherscan, the most popular block explorer for Ethereum, further solidifying its reputation as a reliable platform for exploring the Solana blockchain.
Main Features and Functions of Solscan
Solscan offers a robust set of features designed to give users deep insights into the Solana blockchain. Here are some of the main functionalities:
- Transaction Tracking: Solscan provides real-time data and detailed logs of all historical Solana transactions, including timestamps, wallet addresses involved, and transaction amounts.
- Wallet Address Lookup: Users can monitor any wallet’s activity, including sent and received SOL transactions, current balances, and detailed information such as NFT, DeFi, and staking activity.
- Token Information: Solscan offers extensive data on tokens issued on the Solana blockchain, including current SOL prices, market capitalization, and the transfer history of SPL (Solana Program Library) tokens.
- Network Metrics: Solscan delivers real-time statistics on block times, transaction speeds, and overall network health. It also provides detailed information about validators on the Solana network, such as their performance, staking status, and voting power.
How to Use Solscan: A Step-by-Step Guide
Using Solscan is simple, even for those new to blockchain explorers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the most of Solscan’s features:
1) Visit the Solscan Website
Start by opening your web browser and navigating to the official Solscan website at solscan.io. Always ensure you’re using the correct URL to avoid phishing scams and protect your crypto assets.
2) Navigate the Solscan Interface
The Solscan homepage provides a snapshot of the Solana blockchain, including the latest blocks, transactions, and key network statistics. You’ll find important data like the live SOL price, circulating supply, and transaction speeds.
At the top of the page, there’s a search bar where you can enter a transaction hash, wallet address, token name, or block number. This is your primary tool for exploring specific data on Solscan.
3) Track SOL Transactions
To track a specific Solana transaction, type the transaction hash into the search bar and press Enter. You will be directed to a detailed page showing the transaction’s status, timestamp, involved addresses, and value.
For a general overview of Solana transactions, navigate to the Blockchain tab and click on Transactions. Click on any transaction for complete details.
4) Look Up Wallet Addresses
To look up any Solana wallet, enter the wallet address into the search bar and press Enter. The resulting page will display all activities associated with that wallet, including recent transactions and current balance.
This page also provides more detailed information such as decentralized finance (DeFi) activity, NFT transaction history, active staking accounts, and Solana domains.
5) Check Token Information
Solscan provides detailed token metrics for Solana Program Library (SPL) tokens and SOL non-fungible tokens (NFTs). To search for a token, enter the token name or contract address in the search bar. You can also browse the token leaderboard, sorting all SPL tokens by price, market cap, or the total number of holders.
6) View Network Metrics
For those interested in the health of the Solana network, Solscan offers real-time network statistics on the Network dashboard. This includes block times, transaction speeds, and overall network health metrics. The platform also features a dedicated Fee Tracker page for current gas fees on Solana.
7) Additional Features
- Export Data: Solscan allows users to download information in CSV format for transactions, wallets, or tokens.
- API Access and Developer Tools: Developers can access Solscan’s Public API or opt for a paid version with greater C.U limits and faster request speeds.
8) Set Watchlist for your SOL address
You can sign up for an account on Solscan to set transactions alerts sent over your email. All you need to do is set your Solana address and set all transaction alerts – sending and receiving SOL tokens through your Solana address.
What are the main features of Solscan’s on-chain analytics dashboards?
- Solscan’s on-chain analytics dashboards offer a comprehensive view of the Solana blockchain, delivering real-time insights across various facets of the network. Users can monitor key Solana network statistics such as total transactions, TPS, active wallets, validator activity, and fees through an intuitive interface.
- The Fee Tracker enables deep analysis of transaction costs and network congestion, while the DeFi Dashboard highlights metrics like Total Value Locked (TVL), user activity, and protocol-specific data for platforms like Raydium and Orca. NFT enthusiasts can explore trading volumes, marketplace rankings, and collection analytics via the NFT Dashboard.
- The Stablecoin Dashboard focuses on metrics such as market cap, transaction volume, and holder count, and the Leaderboards feature ranks tokens and apps based on performance indicators like transaction count and active users. Additionally, Solscan offers Adhoc Reports for tracking time-sensitive events like network exploits or major updates. These tools empower developers, investors, and users to navigate the Solana ecosystem with actionable, data-driven insights.
Security and Privacy Considerations When Using Solscan
When using blockchain explorers, security and privacy are paramount. While Solscan does not require users to connect their wallets to the platform, it’s essential to follow best practices to ensure a secure experience:
- Use Official Links: Always double-check the URL and use the official Solscan website to avoid phishing scams.
- Do Not Share Sensitive Information: Never share your private key or recovery phrase with anyone, and ensure you’re not entering this information into Solscan.
- Verify Data from Multiple Sources: Cross-reference important information with other reputable sources to confirm its accuracy.
- Secure Your Devices: Protect your devices with up-to-date antivirus software and use secure networks when accessing Solscan.
What Are Some of The Lesser Known Facts About Solscan?
In early 2024, Solscan was acquired by Etherscan, the most popular Ethereum blockchain explorer. This strategic move strengthened its position and expanded its capabilities, leveraging Etherscan’s expertise in blockchain analytics.
Solscan includes a specialized whale tracking tool that allows users to monitor the holdings and transaction histories of large wallet addresses. This feature helps identify promising projects and trends by analyzing whale activity.
Solscan’s NFT dashboard not only tracks transaction history but also provides detailed ownership history for any NFT on the Solana blockchain, offering transparency in the NFT market.
Solscan provides detailed insights into Solana validator performance. It tracks the uptime of validators, helping users assess their reliability and consistency.
Additional Reading: Whale Wallet Tracking With Bubblemaps
Wrapping Up
Solscan is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to navigate the Solana blockchain. It enhances network transparency and provides actionable insights beyond just transaction and account queries.
Whether you’re verifying your wallet balance or conducting due diligence on a potential investment, Solscan makes exploring the Solana network straightforward and accessible.
