ZachXBT Highlights Major Gaps in Layer 1 Blockchain Trackers and Calls for Improvement

• ZachXBT stressed the need for improvements in transaction tracking tools for Layer 1 blockchains outside Ethereum.
• Solscan’s filtering capabilities were praised, while Tron and other block explorers were seen as less effective.
• Block explorers for Aptos and Sui were deemed low quality, requiring significant improvements for better on-chain transaction tracking.

On September 5, crypto researcher ZachXBT voiced his concerns over the limitations of block trackers across several Layer 1 blockchain networks. In response to Arthur_0x from DeFiance Capital, he stressed that while Ethereum’s tracking tools are somewhat reliable, other blockchains require significant improvements. Tools for non-Ethereum networks, according to ZachXBT, are far less effective and demand a complete overhaul.

In his assessment, ZachXBT stated that although Ethereum block explorers are functional, other tools fall short. Specifically, trackers like Blockchair, Mempool, and WalletExplorer, designed for Bitcoin, were rated “acceptable” to “good” for tracking transactions.

Calls for a Redesign

ZachXBT emphasized the need for substantial changes in transaction tracking beyond the Ethereum ecosystem. He pointed out that most Layer 1 blockchains severely lack efficient explorers. According to him, this is particularly noticeable when comparing the tools available for Ethereum with those for other chains like Cosmos, Hedera, and Algorand.

The researcher hinted that if he were to start an analytics company, its primary focus would be on developing private tools and providing compliance data for law enforcement. He highlighted that such features are highly needed, given the current demands in the crypto industry.

Evaluation of Specific Networks

In his analysis of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) networks, ZachXBT highlighted that OKLink, Solscan, and Bithomp offer satisfactory services, though they are not without limitations. Solscan, which focuses on Solana, was praised for its superior filtering features, whereas Bithomp was recognized for its utility with Ripple-related exchanges and services.

However, the researcher was more critical of the tracking systems available for less prominent networks. He noted that platforms like Tron’s Explorer could be better, while blockchain explorers for Cosmos, Bittensor, Hedera, Harmony, Algorand, Aptos, and Sui were ranked the lowest in functionality.

Aptos and Sui Labeled “Not Great

Among the most criticized were Aptos and Sui. ZachXBT found the block explorers for these networks to be lacking in quality and utility. He described them as being far from ideal for tracking on-chain transactions and called for a significant redesign to improve their effectiveness.

This is not the first time ZachXBT has expressed frustration with certain blockchain tools. In a prior post, he criticized Sui’s block explorer, SuiVision, calling it “complete garbage” due to its inability to filter out spam transactions. Despite these flaws, he mentioned that these tools could still improve with proper development and funding.