Dev Release 122

The countdown has begun! BlockDAG Explorer is set to go live on the testnet in just 24 hours, and the excitement within the community is electric. Our team has been burning the midnight oil to deliver the most feature-packed, efficient, and user-friendly blockchain explorer you’ve ever seen. We’re about to unlock EVM and UTXO support, a fully integrated Faucet, MetaMask connectivity, and real-time data insights—and that’s just the beginning!
Today, we conducted an internal demo, and after incorporating key feedback, we’re confident this will be the most powerful explorer yet. Let’s dive into all the technical features, updates, and enhancements you’ll experience with the BlockDAG Explorer.
 

The BlockDAG Explorer is designed to provide a comprehensive, real-time view of the BlockDAG blockchain, featuring:
 

• Dual Transaction Model Support: Both EVM and UTXO models supported, allowing developers to interact with smart contracts and UTXO-based transactions effortlessly.
• Faucet Integration: Request testnet BDAG tokens directly within the Explorer for development and testing.
• MetaMask Integration: Connect your wallet and manage BDAG tokens seamlessly.
• Real-Time Transaction Tracking: View and monitor live transactions as they occur on the testnet.
• Advanced Search Functionality: Search for transactions, blocks, or addresses with precision.
• Pagination for Efficiency: Smooth navigation through block and transaction histories.
• User-Friendly Interface: A sleek and modern design for optimal user experience.

1. Dual Transaction Model: EVM & UTXO Support
This release introduces full support for both the EVM and UTXO models, giving users the flexibility to interact with two of the most significant blockchain transaction paradigms. Whether you’re handling smart contracts or UTXO-based transactions, the explorer adapts to your needs.
How It Works:
 

• The Explorer offers a dropdown menu at the top that lets you switch between EVM and UTXO modes.
• In EVM Mode, you can explore smart contracts and token balances, while UTXO Mode enables you to view individual inputs and outputs of transactions.

Technical Note: The EVM mode interfaces directly with smart contracts on the testnet, pulling contract addresses, event logs, and transaction status. Meanwhile, UTXO mode allows for granular analysis of transaction inputs and outputs, which is especially valuable for developers who want to interact with both models in their testing environments.2. Faucet Integration: Get Your Testnet BDAG Tokens
The integrated Faucet allows you to request testnet BDAG tokens directly from the explorer interface. This is a huge boost for developers and testers, making it easy to access tokens for testing without requiring manual distribution.
 Faucet Workflow:
 

1. Input your BDAG wallet address in the Faucet form.
2. Specify the number of tokens you need for your test.
3. Click the "Send me BDAG" button, and your request is instantly processed on the testnet.

Technical Note: The faucet leverages smart contracts to automatically distribute BDAG tokens upon user request, providing immediate access for testing. Each request and transaction is logged in the real-time transaction history, ensuring transparency.3. Real-Time Transaction History
Below the Faucet interface, you’ll find real-time transaction logs that provide a detailed overview of all Faucet requests and other testnet activities. This adds a layer of transparency to token distribution and allows users to monitor testnet activity as it unfolds.
Transaction Log Includes:
 

• Transaction Hash: Each transaction is clickable, leading to an in-depth detail page.
• Recipient Address: View the destination wallet address for every Faucet transaction.
• Token Amount: See the exact amount of BDAG distributed.
• Time Stamp: Track how fast the transaction was processed on the network.

Technical Note: Transaction logs are stored in the BlockDAG database and fetched in real time using optimized indexing to ensure the Explorer always displays the latest data without lag.4. Pagination for Efficient Browsing
With so many transactions happening in real time, navigating through them is critical. The pagination feature ensures you can browse transaction history easily, loading 5 transactions at a time, without overwhelming the interface.
Pagination Benefits:
 

• Reduces load on the explorer by dynamically loading content.
• Enables users to quickly access specific blocks of transaction data.

Technical Note: Pagination is powered by backend API queries, fetching data on demand to reduce memory usage and ensure a smooth experience, even during heavy transaction traffic.5. MetaMask Integration: Easy Wallet Access
The MetaMask integration allows users to connect their wallet directly to the BlockDAG Explorer. This means you can view your BDAG token balances, transfer BDAG, and interact with the testnet using your MetaMask wallet in just a few clicks.
Key Features:
 

• Add BDAG Network: A button in the explorer allows users to instantly add BlockDAG testnet to MetaMask.
• Seamless Interaction: Once connected, you can send and receive BDAG tokens without leaving the explorer.

Technical Note: This integration uses the Web3.js library to securely connect users’ MetaMask wallets to the BlockDAG network, allowing for real-time interaction between the explorer and the wallet.6. User Interface Overhaul: Clean & Intuitive
We’ve redesigned the Explorer UI to make it not just functional, but also sleek and modern. From the clean sidebar navigation to the dark theme that reduces eye strain, the explorer is now optimized for ease of use.
UI Enhancements Include:
 

• Sidebar Navigation: Quickly access blocks, transactions, and Faucet functionalities.
• Search Functionality: Easily find addresses, transactions, or blocks using a powerful search bar.
• Modern Aesthetic: Crisp design with bright text for better readability.

• Data Fetching: Optimized to display real-time data with minimal latency.
• Backend APIs: Built using GoLang for high performance, scalability, and concurrency.
• Database Efficiency: Redis cache implementation to ensure swift data access and improve overall speed.
• Security: All wallet connections and transactions are secured with HTTPS and WebSocket encryption.

The new BlockDAG Explorer is a comprehensive tool for exploring the BlockDAG blockchain with a wealth of new features:
 

1. EVM & UTXO model support for flexible interaction with both types of blockchain paradigms.
2. Faucet integration for easy access to testnet BDAG tokens.
3. Real-time transaction history and transparent logging.
4. MetaMask integration for wallet connectivity and direct token transfers.
5. Enhanced user interface with smart navigation and search functionality.
6. Optimized performance with dynamic data loading and pagination.

This update marks a huge leap forward for developers and users alike. Whether you’re building dApps, testing smart contracts, or simply exploring the blockchain, the BlockDAG Explorer is here to offer an intuitive, reliable, and lightning-fast experience.
Stay tuned—24 hours to go!