A Bitcoin block explorer is a tool or website that offers in-depth information about blocks, transactions, and the current status of the Bitcoin blockchain. Essentially functioning as a search engine for the blockchain, it enables users to access details about blocks, addresses, and transactions generated by the Bitcoin network.

A btc block explorer displays a variety of information related to the Bitcoin blockchain. This includes details about individual blocks, transactions, wallet addresses, and network activity. Users can look up specific transactions, monitor the progress of transactions, view the history of blocks, track the movement of funds, and analyze network statistics. Additionally, block explorers provide data such as transaction confirmations, fees, input and output addresses, block sizes, timestamps, and more. Overall, Bitcoin block explorers offer a transparent and comprehensive view of the Bitcoin blockchain, enabling users to explore and verify the activity on the network.

What does “confirmation” mean in the context of cryptocurrencies and blockchain?

"Confirmation" refers to the verification and addition of a cryptocurrency transaction to the blockchain.

Whenever a cryptocurrency transaction is initiated, it is broadcast to the network. Miners (in the case of systems like Bitcoin) or validators (for systems like Ethereum, Avalanche, and Polygon) review the transaction and include it in a new block of transactions. Upon this block being integrated into the blockchain, the transaction receives its first confirmation.

Subsequent blocks added after a transaction provide additional confirmations, enhancing the security by making it more difficult to alter or double-spend the transaction. This is because altering a transaction necessitates reworking the block containing the transaction and all subsequent blocks, requiring substantial resources.

While one or two confirmations might suffice for smaller transactions, larger transactions may require more confirmations to ensure their validity and prevent reversal. In the context of Bitcoin, 6 confirmations are deemed statistically irreversible.

The duration for a transaction to be confirmed is subject to change based on the network's activity and the associated transaction fees.

What blockchains can I explore?
Bitcoin.com's blockchain explorer supports the Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ethereum blockchains.