Etherscan
Tool Description : Blockchain explorer for investigating Ethereum and other supported blockchain activity, including wallet addresses, transactions, tokens, smart contracts and on-chain interactions.
Etherscan
Quick Overview
What it does
Searches and analyses publicly available blockchain data.
How to use it
Search an address, transaction hash, token, contract or block, then review results.
Cost
Free core features. Paid Premium and API options available.
Account required
No for core features. Account may be required for further functionality.
Cookies
A mix of analytics, session, security, preference and location/personalisation cookies.
Ownership
Owned and led by founder and CEO, Matthew Tan. HQ in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Use in Reporting
Provides on-chain evidence such as transactions, wallet activity and token movements.
What does Etherscan do?
Etherscan is a blockchain explorer that allows you to search and investigate activity recorded on Ethereum and supported EVM-compatible networks. It can be used to examine wallet addresses, transactions, token transfers, smart contracts and blockchain activity.
For OSINT investigations, the platform is particularly useful when a cryptocurrency wallet address or transaction hash is already known and further on-chain investigation is required.
The lowdown: It turns blockchain data into a searchable and readable format.
How to Use:
1. Search for a wallet address, transaction hash, token, contract address or block number.
2. Review the available transaction history, balances, token transfers and associated blockchain activity.
3. Follow relevant wallet addresses and transactions to identify potential links, movement of funds or other investigative leads.
Cost
Free core features. Paid Premium and API options available.
Data Processing
Account Required:
No for core features. An account is required for features such as private notes and other personalised functionality.
Cookies:
The site uses cookies for session management, security, analytics and user preferences. Cookies observed include Google Analytics (_gid), an ASP.NET session identifier, Cloudflare security (cf_clearance) and Etherscan preference/localisation cookies. Some cookies may contain geographic or session-related information.
Use in Reporting
Etherscan can be used to:
Trace cryptocurrency transactions between wallet addresses.
Investigate wallets linked to scams, fraud or other suspicious activity.
Identify patterns of cryptocurrency movement and fund flows.
Corroborate findings from other cryptocurrency and OSINT sources.
Document transaction hashes, wallet addresses, timestamps and amounts as evidence.
Support investigations into cryptocurrency-related activity and financial crime.
Inform risk assessments when profiling wallets, transactions or organisations.
Capabilities
Limitations
Search wallet addresses, transactions, and smart contracts.
Wallet addresses don’t directly identify individuals.
Trace cryptocurrency and token transfers.
Transaction activity doesn’t prove intent or criminality.
View wallet balances and transactions histories.
Etherscan labels may require independent verification.
Investigate token and contract activity.
Some activity may involve exchanges or intermediary wallets.
Identify links between wallet addresses.
On-chain data provides limited off-chain context.
Record transaction hashes for verification and reporting.
Summary
Etherscan is best used during the discovery, verification and evidence-gathering stages of the OSINT workflow where cryptocurrency or blockchain activity is relevant.
It should primarily be treated as a source of on-chain evidence rather than identity attribution. A wallet address can be followed through the blockchain, but connecting that address to a real-world individual or organisation generally requires additional evidence from other OSINT sources.
Ownership
Etherscan is an independent, privately held company owned and led by its founder and CEO, Matthew Tan. He launched the platform in 2015, and it’s headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ethical Considerations
Use blockchain data for legitimate investigative purposes.
Do not assume a wallet address identifies a specific person.
Verify Etherscan labels with additional evidence.
Avoid presenting investigative assumptions as confirmed attribution.
Consider privacy when reporting wallet activity.
Take care when handling potentially sensitive financial information.
Follow applicable laws, policies and organisational procedures.
Do not connect your own wallet to services unnecessarily during passive research.
Related Tools:
Sources
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