Mina Explorer is a powerful example of a blockchain explorer, a web-based tool that allows users to search, view, and analyze the contents of a specific blockchain, in this case, the Mina Protocol blockchain. It provides a user-friendly interface through a GraphQL API, where users can extensively query and filter data about blocks, transactions, and snark work.
One of the key functions of this, and indeed any blockchain explorer, is to allow users to track the progress of specific transactions. By inputting a transaction hash—a unique identifier—users can verify the validity of a transaction and monitor its progress. This level of transparency and accountability is crucial for businesses and individuals who are actively involved with blockchain technology.
Why Use a Blockchain Explorer?
A blockchain explorer is an indispensable tool that offers transparency, accountability, and real-time information about blockchain networks. It serves as a window into the blockchain's decentralized world, providing users with the ability to explore and verify transactions, monitor network activity, and access important metrics and data.
Explorers are crucial for tracking the flow of digital assets, ensuring the integrity of transactions, and confirming the immutability of records. They enable users to view transaction details, addresses, and balances, promoting trust and transparency in blockchain-based ecosystems.
How To Use Mina Explorer?
Home Page
From the homepage of Minascan, users can access a wide range of useful information, such as the current block height, network difficulty level, and the number of active nodes on the network. They can also view various charts and graphs related to network activity, including the number of transactions per day and the distribution of block rewards.
The Minascan homepage serves as a powerful hub for real-time insights and essential information about the Mina Protocol blockchain network. This information is essential for users who are interested in monitoring and analyzing the network's health, security, and overall performance. Additionally, the analytics and metrics provided on the home page can be useful for businesses and developers who are building applications or conducting research on the Mina blockchain.
Validators
This page presents a leaderboard of the most active validators, ranked by the number of blocks they have produced on the network. Users can view information about each validator, including their name, address, and the percentage of blocks they have produced.
The information on the Validators page can be useful when choosing a validator on the Mina network. Validators play a critical role in maintaining the security and integrity of the blockchain, and choosing a reputable and reliable validator is essential for ensuring the safety of your funds and transactions.
Users can use the leaderboard to identify the most active and reliable block producers on the network and make informed decisions about which one to choose. Additionally, the page provides users with data on each validator's block production and performance, which can be used to evaluate their reliability and efficiency.
Let's take the Everstake page on Minascan as an example.
As shown above, you can find general information about the validator, its website, and social media links on the Validators page. Also, here you can see the validator's commission, the number of delegators, staking balance, and blocks produced.
Below you can find information about the next epochs and more details about the delegators.
Blockchain
The Blockchain tab contains many sub-pages, which we will now take a closer look at.
On the Blocks subpage of Minascan, users can access a wealth of information about the blocks on the Mina blockchain network. You can view details such as the block height, timestamp, size, and the number of transactions contained within each block. Additionally, you can find information about the block producer and the fees associated with the transactions in the block.
The User Transactions page on Minascan provides users with specific transaction details associated with a particular address or user. Users can input an address and view a list of transactions associated with that address. This information is valuable for MINA holders as they can track their transaction history, verify the status of their transactions, and ensure the accuracy and security of their funds. 
On the Addresses page of Minascan, users can explore various addresses associated with the Mina blockchain network. This includes wallet addresses, staking addresses, and other relevant addresses. Users can view details such as the address itself, the balance associated with it, and the number of transactions associated with the address.
Mina holders can utilize this information to verify their wallet balances, track incoming and outgoing transactions, and gain better insight into the overall distribution and activity of addresses on the network. 
The Addresses with Locks page on Minascan provides information about locked addresses on the Mina Protocol. Users can view details such as the timelock address, its associated balance, and the expiration time of the timelock. 
Governance
This page includes two tabs, Proposals and Votes.
Here users may find information such as the MIP number, title, description, and status (e.g., proposed, in progress, implemented). Each MIP likely includes a comprehensive explanation of the proposed improvement, its objectives, and potential effects on the Mina network.
For regular users, this information can be highly valuable. By accessing the Governance page, they can stay informed about ongoing and upcoming changes to the network. MINA holders can review MIPs to understand the direction of the Mina Protocol and its potential impact on their investments or participation in the network. Additionally, they can gauge the level of community discussion and consensus around proposed improvements, which may influence their decision-making.
You can also submit a suggestion by clicking on the 'Submit Proposal' button, which will take you to the MinaResearch website, where you can share your ideas on how to improve the Mina Protocol ecosystem.
On the Proposals tab, you will find all the validator and user votes and the status of each of the votes. Here you can see who is voting and how they voted.
Analytics
On the Analytics page of Minascan, users can access various metrics and insights about the Mina blockchain network. This includes information such as the MINA price, the total number of blocks mined, the current block height, the number of active nodes, and the network difficulty level. Users can also explore charts and graphs displaying historical trends and patterns related to network activity. 
By utilizing the Analytics page, MINA holders can gain valuable insights into the health and performance of the Mina network. They can monitor the overall growth and activity of the network, ensuring its stability and security.
By opening each chart, you can see information for specific periods of time (24h, 7d, 30d) or a specific epoch. 
Summary
Mina Explorer is a powerful tool that provides users with valuable insights and information about the Mina blockchain network. It offers real-time data, transparency, and accountability, allowing users to track transactions, monitor network activity, and access important metrics. This resource is essential for various stakeholders, including blockchain enthusiasts, developers, businesses, and MINA holders.
If you have any questions regarding Mina Protocol and its staking, feel free to contact our MINA Blockchain Manager on Twitter.
