How to Track Transactions

Tracking on-chain activity helps you confirm payments, detect suspicious behavior, and prepare records for accounting or compliance. You’ll learn how to read transactions, set alerts, and monitor multiple wallets across chains.

1) Use the Right Blockchain Explorer

Explorers index on-chain data so you can look up addresses and transaction hashes (txids). Pick an explorer that matches your network:

• Bitcoin: Blockchain.com or mempool.space
• Ethereum & EVM chains: Etherscan (PolygonScan, BscScan, Arbiscan for other EVM networks)
• Solana: Solscan or Solana Explorer

Paste an address to see its balance and history, or a tx hash to see inputs/outputs, tokens moved, fees, and confirmations.

2) Reading a Transaction Like a Pro

• Status: Pending/mempool vs. Confirmed. On BTC, check confirmations; on EVM/Solana, check block/slot.
• Participants: Sender, recipient(s), and any contract/program invoked.
• Tokens & transfers: On EVM/Solana, inspect token transfer logs to see ERC-20/SPL movements beyond the base coin.
• Fees: Gas/priority fee paid and estimated cost in fiat—useful for budgeting and compliance.
• Decoded actions: Some explorers decode contract calls (e.g., swaps, approvals). Verify that the decoded action matches your intent.

3) Enable Alerts & Notifications

Real-time notifications let you react quickly to deposits, withdrawals, or suspicious approvals.

• Wallet push/email: Many wallets and exchanges offer tx alerts and login notifications.
• Explorer watchlists: Some explorers let you watch an address and receive email/webhook alerts.
• Approval monitoring: Periodically review and revoke token allowances on EVM chains to limit risk.

4) Aggregate Multiple Wallets

If you use several wallets or chains, aggregators provide a single pane of glass for balances, NFTs, and recent activity.

• Portfolio dashboards: Tools like Zerion, Zapper, or DeBank can track multiple EVM wallets; Solana wallets often integrate with Solscan.
• CSV/exports: For accounting, export tx history where available and keep a record of addresses you control.

5) Privacy & OPSEC Considerations

• Address reuse: Reusing a public address can leak your holdings and counterparties—segment by purpose.
• Do not overshare: Avoid posting addresses tied to your identity; use aliases/emails for exchange accounts.
• Test first: For large transfers, send a tiny amount, confirm on the explorer, then proceed.

Summary

Use a matching explorer for your chain, learn to interpret confirmations and decoded calls, enable alerts, and centralize monitoring when you manage many wallets. Combine tracking with good privacy and approval hygiene for safer operations.

What's Next

Continue to Legal and Regulatory to understand reporting, tax basics, and how compliance intersects with your on-chain activity.