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Definition

In a blockchain, a block is a collection of verified transactions that are bundled together and added to the blockchain in sequential order. Each block contains a block header and block data. The block header contains metadata about the block, such as a timestamp, a unique identifier (known as a “hash”), and a reference to the previous block in the chain. This reference to the previous block creates a chronological link between blocks and helps ensure the integrity of the blockchain. The data in a block is the actual set of transactions that are being added to the blockchain. These transactions include things like sending cryptocurrency from one wallet to another, executing a smart contract, or adding a new asset/token to the blockchain. The block data is represented as a digital ledger, which includes information about the sender, receiver, asset amount(s), and other relevant details. Once a block is added to the blockchain, it becomes a permanent and unalterable record that can be verified by anyone on the network.

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Details

Block data depends on the specific blockchain network, but example information includes:
  • Block details: Information about each block in a blockchain network, including its hash, timestamp, size, and transaction data.
  • Transaction data: Detailed information about transactions in a blockchain network, including sender and receiver addresses, gas used, and transaction fees.
  • Token data: Data on tokens in a blockchain network, including token balances, supply, and transaction history.
  • Contract data: For smart contract-based blockchains, we offer data on the contracts themselves, including contract address, source code, and contract events.
  • Address data: Data on addresses in a blockchain network, including balances, transaction history, and token holdings.
  • Network data: Data on various network metrics, such as network hash rate, difficulty, and mining rewards.

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API Endpoints

/blockchains/blocks/metrics/historical

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Availability

Blockchain endpoints across the various On-Chain namespaces are accessible via REST API, WebSockets, and JSON-RPC. A comprehensive list of supported blockchain networks is available in the API Documentation. Amberdata enables access to all events from the genesis block onward. This infrastructure allows for the delivery of complete historical datasets across most supported blockchain protocols.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the value of showing block data compared to address and transaction data?

Exposing block-level data in addition to address- and transaction-level data provides flexibility in how blockchain data is queried and analyzed.
  • For high-level overviews, such as total transaction count or cumulative gas usage within a block, the block transactions endpoint is more efficient.
  • For granular analysis, such as inspecting individual transaction inputs, outputs, or decoded logs, the transaction hash endpoint offers greater detail.
This multi-level access supports a wide range of use cases—from macro-level network analysis to low-level protocol debugging or compliance auditing.