Learn about on‑chain
On‑chain means an action is recorded directly on a blockchain ledger—visible, verifiable, and time‑stamped.
What actually happens when you “do something on‑chain”
- You create a transaction. Example: send tokens, swap on a DEX, or interact with a smart contract.
- Your wallet signs it. Signing proves you authorized the action. Your private key stays secret.
- The network validates rules. Nodes check signature, balances, nonce, and smart‑contract logic.
- It’s included in a block. Validators bundle transactions and publish a new block.
- Confirmations build confidence. More blocks after yours makes it harder to revert.
Tip: If you have a transaction hash, you can verify status in a block explorer even if your app crashes.
On‑chain vs off‑chain (simple comparison)
| Feature | On‑chain | Off‑chain |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Public / auditable | Often private |
| Speed | Depends on network congestion | Can be faster |
| Cost | Gas fees apply | May be cheaper |
| Finality | Strong once confirmed | Depends on provider |
Common beginner questions
Why did my transaction fail?
Common causes: not enough gas, wrong network, slippage, or a smart contract revert.
Why is it “pending” for a long time?
Fees may be too low or the network is congested. See the status in a block explorer.
Why did I pay a fee even if it failed?
Fees cover computation. A revert can still consume resources.
Explorer reading guide
When you open a transaction in an explorer, focus on:
- Status: success / failed / pending
- From / To: sender and receiver or contract
- Method: function called on the contract
- Fee paid: total gas used × gas price
Do not paste seed phrases into “verification” forms. Those are scams.