Etherscan releases v2 beta: Unifies API for over 50 blockchains

As a seasoned blockchain researcher with years of experience under my belt, I find the recent development by Etherscan truly intriguing. The introduction of their v2 API update is a significant stride towards simplifying multichain development, and it’s music to my ears!


Etherscan, a tool for exploring and analyzing blockchains, recently launched an update to its version 2 Application Programming Interface (API), a major improvement designed to streamline the process of developing across multiple chains.

In simpler terms, the initial version 2 of Etherscan (version 2 beta) offers developers a chance to retrieve data from fifty Ethereum-like blockchain networks through just one API key.

A API (Application Programming Interface) acts like a digital identity card for users. It’s a specific set of code that’s used to verify and authorize a user, granting them access to the services or data provided by the API.

For Etherscan, API keys serve a dual purpose: they safeguard the platform by restricting unauthorized access, and they empower approved users by allowing seamless provision of data and services.

Key features 

The primary change from v1 to v2 is streamlining Etherscan’s approach to multichain data access, which now offers a new API using a “chainid” parameter.

With this parameter, developers can easily choose the desired blockchain using a single API, eliminating the need for various API keys and distinct settings for each blockchain.

The following networks are among those we support: Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, and a few more. Additionally, we provide assistance for test networks specific to each platform, such as Sepolia, Goerli, and other unique ones.

Etherscan releases v2 beta: Unifies API for over 50 blockchains

Developer impact and consideration

With Etherscan v2’s unified API, developers can effortlessly construct apps across various blockchains, providing a centralized control center for handling blockchain data.

Using a unified API key will streamline the setup process, make your coding more straightforward, and maintain compatibility with version 1. This ensures that any current applications and associated services will experience minimal interruptions.

Etherscan explained that not every endpoint of a chain is being supported at this moment, and while there’s no specific deadline for phasing out version 1, they intend to phase out version 1 gradually over time.

Multichain application implications

The trend toward a unified blockchain is growing from cross-border to cross-chain, as seen in developments like Chainlink’s new blockchain payment solution demo.

Using Etherscan v2’s unified API key expands our toolkit, moving us closer to a universal, standardized, and easily accessible blockchain data environment for both developers and end-users.

While there are existing multi-chain APIs in the Web3 environment, transitioning to Etherscan v2 may help minimize developer workload and enhance app performance by streamlining processes.

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2024-10-25 16:56