You sent USDT to your exchange account twenty minutes ago. Your wallet says "sent". The exchange shows nothing. Support replies with one line: "Please send the TXID." If you don't know what that is, or where to find it, you're stuck waiting.
A transaction hash (also called TXID or transaction ID) is the thing that ends that kind of guessing. This guide shows you what it is, where to find it, and how to read a block explorer so you can tell for yourself whether a transfer worked, failed, or went somewhere you didn't intend.
What a transaction hash actually is
A transaction hash is a long string of letters and numbers that works like a receipt number for one specific transfer on a blockchain. Every transaction gets its own. No two are the same, and it can't be edited after the fact.
A blockchain is a public ledger. A block explorer is simply a website that lets you search that ledger. Paste a hash into it and you see the record: who sent, who received, how much, what fee was paid, and whether the network accepted it.
This matters because the record is neutral. A bank app, an exchange screen or a screenshot someone sends you can all be wrong or faked. The ledger, read through an explorer, is the same for everyone.
Where to find your hash
- Self-custody wallet apps: open the transaction in your history and look for "View on explorer", "Transaction ID" or a copy icon. Many apps open the explorer for you.
- Exchanges, for withdrawals: go to withdrawal history and open the entry. The TXID appears once the exchange has actually broadcast the transaction. If it says "processing" with no hash, the exchange hasn't sent it yet, so there's nothing on the blockchain to look up.
- Exchanges, for deposits: you take the hash from the wallet you sent from, not from the exchange.
Copy the hash as text rather than relying on a screenshot. You'll want to paste it, and you may need to send it to support.
Pick the right explorer for the network
Each blockchain has its own explorers. Searching a Tron hash on an Ethereum explorer returns "not found", which scares people into thinking funds are lost. They aren't; you're just looking in the wrong place.
| Network | Commonly used explorer | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | mempool.space or Blockchain.com explorer | BTC transfers |
| Ethereum | Etherscan | ETH, ERC-20 tokens such as USDT and USDC |
| TRON | Tronscan | TRC-20 USDT, popular for cheaper transfers |
| BNB Smart Chain | BscScan | BEP-20 tokens |
| Solana | Solscan or Solana Explorer | SOL and Solana tokens |
The easiest way to know the network is to check what you chose when you sent. Your wallet or exchange withdrawal screen will show "TRC-20", "ERC-20", "BEP-20" or similar. Type the explorer name into your browser yourself rather than clicking links sent to you, because fake explorer sites exist.
How to read a transaction page, field by field
Layouts differ, but the same fields appear almost everywhere.
- Status. Usually "Success", "Pending" or "Failed". Success means the network accepted it. Pending means it's waiting to be included in a block. Failed means it was rejected, and on some networks you still lose the fee.
- Hash. Compare it with what you copied. Matching the first and last several characters is a quick check, but with real money, paste the full string.
- From and To. These are wallet addresses. The "To" address must match the deposit address you copied, character by character.
- Value or token transfer. For tokens like USDT, the headline "Value" may show 0 ETH. That's normal. Look for a section called "Token transfers" or "Interacted with" to see the real amount and token.
- Timestamp. Shows when it was included in a block, often in UTC. Nigeria is on UTC+1, so add one hour (South Africa is UTC+2, Kenya UTC+3, Ghana UTC+0).
- Confirmations or block. Each new block built on top of yours adds a confirmation. Exchanges wait for a set number before crediting you.
- Fee. What you paid the network, shown in the network's own coin (ETH, TRX, BNB and so on), not in the token you sent.
A worked example (hypothetical)
Say Ada, in Lagos, sends 50 USDT from her wallet to her exchange account. The exchange hasn't credited it after 30 minutes. Here's how she'd check.
- She opens the wallet history, copies the hash and notes the network she used: TRC-20.
- She opens Tronscan, pastes the hash, and sees "Success" with a confirmed block.
- She checks the "To" address against her exchange deposit page. It matches, and the token is USDT with an amount of 50.
- She then looks at the exchange deposit page again. If it only accepts a different network for that coin, that's the problem. If the network matches, the exchange simply hasn't processed it.
Now she can write to support with something useful: the hash, the network, the token, the amount and the deposit address. That gets a faster answer than "my money has not arrived".
Different outcome: the "To" address differs from her deposit address by a few characters. That means she pasted or typed something wrong, and funds on a blockchain generally can't be pulled back by anyone. This is why you send a small test amount first when the sum is large, and why you double-check addresses before confirming.
What explorers can and can't tell you
They can confirm a transfer happened, to which address, and when. They can show an address's history of incoming and outgoing transfers, which is useful for checking whether a wallet looks active or brand new.
They can't tell you who owns an address, whether a recipient is honest, or whether you can recover a mistake. Some addresses carry labels like "Binance" or "Exchange", which helps, but labels are not guarantees about the person you're dealing with.
Scam patterns that explorers help you catch
Fake payment screenshots
Someone claims they've paid you in crypto and sends a screenshot with a hash. Look the hash up yourself, in your own browser, on the right explorer. Check that the "To" address is yours and the amount and token are right. If your wallet or exchange hasn't received it, it isn't paid.
Fake or "flash" tokens
Some scammers create a worthless token with a name like "USDT" and send it so your wallet shows a balance. Real stablecoins have one official contract address per network, which you can confirm from the issuer's own website. If the contract in the explorer differs, the token is fake. Never hand over goods or fiat because a balance appears.
Address poisoning
Scammers send a tiny transfer from an address that looks like one you've used, matching the first and last characters. They hope you'll copy it from your history next time. Always copy the recipient address from the source (the exchange deposit page), never from your past transactions.
Approval requests and drainers
When an explorer page shows you "Approve" or "Interacted with" a contract you don't recognise, that can mean you gave a site permission over your tokens. Our guide on fake airdrops and wallet drainers explains how to revoke approvals.
In P2P trading, a hash is rarely the proof you need. The risk there is the naira payment, so read how to do P2P crypto trading safely before your next trade.
Common mistakes
- Sending on the wrong network. USDT exists on several networks. The deposit address must be on the same one you send through, or the funds may not arrive. Some can be recovered through exchange support, but not always, and often at a cost.
- Forgetting the memo or tag. Some coins need an extra memo field for exchange deposits. Leaving it out can delay or lose the credit.
- Panicking over "pending". During busy periods, transactions can sit pending. Don't resend immediately, or you may pay twice.
- Trusting a hash from a stranger's link. Search it yourself.
- Not saving hashes. You'll want them for disputes and for your own books. They fit neatly into the system in our crypto records guide.
Quick checklist before and after any transfer
- Confirm the network matches on both sides.
- Copy the address from its source and compare the first and last characters.
- Send a small test first if the amount is large.
- Save the hash straight away.
- Look it up on the correct explorer and confirm status, "To" address, token and amount.
- If support is needed, send the hash, network, token, amount and addresses together.
Frequently asked questions
Is a transaction hash the same as a wallet address?
No. An address is where funds are sent to or from, like an account number. A hash identifies one particular transfer, like a receipt number.
Is it safe to share my transaction hash?
Generally yes, for support or proof. It can't be used to move your money. It does let others view the sender and recipient addresses and amounts, so don't post it publicly if you want privacy.
Why does my transaction show success but the exchange hasn't credited me?
Common causes are too few confirmations for that exchange's rules, a wrong network, a missing memo, or a minimum deposit amount. Check the exchange's deposit page for its requirements, then contact support with your details.
Can I cancel a transaction?
Once it's confirmed, no. A pending one may sometimes be replaced or sped up in certain wallets, but a success status is final.
Does the explorer show naira value?
Mostly it shows the coin amount, and sometimes a dollar estimate. Any naira value for your records should come from your own record of the rate at the time.
Your next step
Pick a small past transfer in your wallet, find its hash, and read it on the right explorer using the field list above. Doing it once with nothing at stake makes it easy when you actually need it.
This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Prices, rates and rules change quickly, so check current details before making money decisions.