How to Check Incoming Transactions for an Ethereum (ETH) Address

Introduction

Tracking incoming transactions to an Ethereum address is essential for managing crypto assets, auditing transfers, or analyzing blockchain activity. Below are four reliable methods to query these transactions, catering to both beginners and developers.

Method 1: Using a Block Explorer

Block explorers like Etherscan provide a user-friendly interface to visualize transaction histories.

Steps:

1. Visit Etherscan.
2. Enter the Ethereum address in the search bar.

3. Navigate to the "Transactions" tab to view:

   • Incoming transactions (filtered by "To" address).
   • Timestamps, amounts, and transaction hashes.

👉 Explore ETH transactions on Etherscan

Method 2: Querying via API

For automated queries, Etherscan’s API offers programmatic access.

Example API Request:

https://api.etherscan.io/api
  ?module=account
  &action=txlist
  &address=0xYourAddressHere
  &startblock=0
  &endblock=99999999
  &sort=asc
  &apikey=YourApiKeyHere

Parameters:

• address: Target ETH address.
• apikey: Obtain from Etherscan API Portal.

Method 3: Web3.js for Developers

Leverage Web3.js to fetch transactions directly from the blockchain.

Code Snippet:

const Web3 = require('web3');
const web3 = new Web3('https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YourInfuraProjectID');

async function fetchIncomingTransactions(address) {
  const latestBlock = await web3.eth.getBlockNumber();
  for (let i = 0; i <= latestBlock; i++) {
    const block = await web3.eth.getBlock(i, true);
    block.transactions.forEach(tx => {
      if (tx.to && tx.to.toLowerCase() === address.toLowerCase()) {
        console.log(tx);
      }
    });
  }
}
fetchIncomingTransactions('0xYourAddressHere');

Key Notes:

• Replace YourInfuraProjectID with an Infura endpoint.
• Adjust loop range for efficiency.

Method 4: Wallet Applications

Wallets like MetaMask or MyEtherWallet display transaction histories natively.

Steps:

1. Open the wallet and select the desired address.
2. Check the "Activity" or "History" section.

FAQs

1. How do I filter only incoming transactions on Etherscan?

• Use the "Filter" option and select "To" field.

2. Is there a rate limit for Etherscan’s API?

• Free tier allows 5 requests/sec; paid plans offer higher limits.

3. Can I query transactions without an API key?

• Yes, but unauthenticated requests face stricter rate limits.

👉 Learn advanced ETH tracking techniques

Conclusion

Choose a method based on your technical expertise:

• Casual users: Block explorers or wallets.
• Developers: APIs or Web3.js.
  Always verify address accuracy to avoid errors.