Ethereum Block Explorers Recognize Bech32 Addresses
When interacting with the Ethereum network, it is crucial for developers and users to understand how to use its various tools and services. One of the key components of the Ethereum ecosystem is the blockchain, which is represented by a unique address.
The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) generates addresses using a public key and a reference hash, known as a « gas limit ». However, not all block explorers or tools support bech32 addresses, which are a standardized way of representing these addresses in a plain text format.
What is Bech32?
Bech32 addresses are designed to minimize storage space by using short prefixes that can be displayed in a standard 4-byte hexadecimal representation. The most common prefix used in Ethereum is the « 0x » prefix, which stands for « BECH32 ».
In contrast, the gas limit and reference hash components of an address typically take up more than four characters. By using Bech32 addresses, users can display shorter addresses that are easier to read.
Block Explorers and Their Support
Several popular block explorers recognize bech32 addresses, including:
- Blockchain.info
: This is one of the most widely used blockchain explorer platforms. However, it does not support Bech32 addresses.
- Blockchair: A newer alternative to Blockchain.info, Blockchair also does not support Bech32 addresses.
- Blockcypher: Another popular block explorer, Blockcypher, has a custom solution for displaying Bech32 addresses.
Why is this important?
The lack of support for bech32 addresses on some block explorers can make it difficult to interact with the Ethereum network. If you are using an EVM-based application or service like Truffle or Remix, the lack of support for bech32 addresses may limit your functionality and usability.
For developers building applications that need to interact with the Ethereum network, it is essential to use a block explorer that supports Bech32 addresses. This ensures that they have access to all available tools and services, without being limited by unsupported address formats.
Conclusion
Understanding how bech32 addresses are used is crucial to working effectively in the Ethereum ecosystem. While some popular block explorers do not support these addresses, there are alternative solutions that can help bridge the gap. By choosing a block explorer that supports Bech32 addresses, developers can unlock more features and functionality when interacting with the Ethereum network.
