There are multiple blockchain explorers in the Cardano ecosystem that enable both users and developers to visualize data on the Cardano blockchain. Generally, most explorers provide the same information, but some stand out above others in terms of features and capabilities, data exposure, and the overall user experience. One such tool is Pool.pm, a real-time blockchain visualization platform developed by the SM₳UG stake pool. Pool.pm offers a user-friendly, visually engaging way to explore the Cardano ecosystem, from wallet contents, staking activity, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and more.
Pool.pm is a Cardano blockchain explorer that provides real-time insights into the network’s activities. The explorer was launched in 2020 by the SM₳UG stake pool with a goal of making the blockchain transparent and engaging for everyone. It serves as a visual dashboard for users to monitor transactions, stake pools, wallets, and native assets like tokens and NFTs. Unlike traditional explorers that can feel technical and dense with raw data, Pool.pm feels like it was designed by humans, for humans. It’s mobile-friendly, visually intuitive, and packed with real-time insights.
If you’d like to see how much ADA is staked to a pool or are curious about that new NFT in your wallet, Pool.pm serves it up with a side of clarity. Besides using it to view everything on the Cardano network, you can delegate your ADA to a stake pool right from the site.
Why Pool.pm feels different
Cardano’s ecosystem is growing fast, with over 4,000 stake pools, millions of wallets, and a booming NFT scene. It could get overwhelming to keep tab of all these, but with Pool.pm, here’s why the experience is different:
- It’s a visual-first platform: Instead of endless tables, Pool.pm uses timelines, grids, and live feeds to show what’s happening. You could easily think of it like a social media feed for everything happening on the Cardano blockchain.
- Track everything in real-time: From transactions to NFT mints, users see everything on the network as it unfolds.
- Community roots: Although it’s not open-source, the platform was built by SM₳UG, a widely recognized stakepool in the Cardano ecosystem. The builders allow you to provide user feedback for improvement on GitHub.
- Made for all users: Whether you’re a beginner staking your first 100 ADA or analyzing pool performance, the interface is intuitive enough to guide you through.
Key Features of Pool.pm
Here are some features that make Pool.pm standout among other explorers in the Cardano ecosystem:
- Wallet viewer: By entering a wallet address or $adahandle, users can see a detailed breakdown of the wallet’s contents, including ADA balance, delegated stake pool, fungible tokens, and NFTs. This transparency helps users verify holdings and track their assets effortlessly.
- Stake pool insights: Pool.pm is a powerful tool for stakers. Users can search for stake pools (e.g., by typing “SMAUG”) to view metrics like total delegated ADA, recent activity, and pool performance. This helps delegators make informed decisions when choosing where to stake their ADA.
- Real-time transaction monitoring: The platform tracks live transactions, including ADA transfers, token minting, and NFT activity. This feature is particularly useful during high-profile NFT drops, allowing users to watch minting events unfold in real time.
- NFT and token visualization: Pool.pm’s token page offers a live feed of minted, burned, or transferred tokens and NFTs. Its innovative NFT viewer displays these assets visually, adding an engaging layer to the Cardano experience, especially for collectors and creators.
- Timeline-based display: Unlike traditional explorers, Pool.pm uses a timeline to present events like block rewards, stake movements, and transaction history. This modern approach enhances readability and helps users contextualize network activity.
- Wallet integration: Pool.pm supports popular Cardano wallets like Nami, Flint, Gero, and Typhon, allowing users to delegate ADA directly from the platform. This seamless integration streamlines the staking process.
How to Use Pool.pm
To get started with the platform, visit the official pool.pm website. From here, you can use the platform to access a number of things, and not limited to the following features:
Wallet Viewer
If you’d like more insight into a wallet, enter your address or $adahandle into Pool.pm’s search bar, and you’ll get a snapshot of the wallet activity including:
- ADA balance: How much Cardano you’re holding.
- Tokens and NFTs: Every fungible token or digital collectible in your wallet, from stablecoins to pixelated apes.
- Staking details: Which pool you’ve delegated to, your rewards, and how much ADA you’ve staked.
The above is an example wallet view snapshot on pool.pm, with details about its balance, NFTs held, and more. This level of transparency could be a game-changer when monitoring treansactions. Let’s say you’re verifying a trade, you send an NFT, they send ADA. Pool.pm lets you confirm both sides instantly, no trust needed.
Stake Pool Explorer
Cardano’s proof-of-stake system relies on stake pools to validate transactions. With thousands of pools out there, Pool.pm makes it simple to explore each. On the search bar, enter a pool’s ticker (like “ATM”) or ID, and you’ll see:
- Total staked ADA: How much is delegated to the pool
- Performance metrics: Return on ADA (ROA), fees, and block production history.
- Saturation level: A gauge showing if the pool’s overfilled (too much stake hurts rewards).
- Recent activity: A timeline of blocks minted, like “Block #9876543, 2 hours ago.”
Here’s an example visualization of ATM Stakepool on pool.pm :
The timeline in the snapshot lists recent blocks, each with a tiny Cardano logo pulsing to show it’s live. A “Join” button invites you to delegate, linking to wallets like Nami or Eternl. It’s like browsing a menu of pools, with all the stats you need. This feature empowers you to support decentralization. By spotting smaller, high-performing pools, you can spread stake away from giants.
Real-time Transaction Monitoring
Pool.pm streams live transactions on its homepage – ADA moving between wallets, tokens being minted, stakes shifting. It’s cool watching the live transaction visualizations. Each entry links to more details; click, and you see the sender’s address, receiver’s wallet, and transaction fees. If you’re waiting for a payment or tracking a pool’s rewards, you could even pinpoint the exact moment it hits.
NFT and Token Tracker
Cardano’s NFT scene exploded after the 2021 Alonzo upgrade, and Pool.pm is the best seat in the house. Its “Tokens” tab shows a live feed of minted, burned, or transferred assets, while the NFT viewer turns collectibles into a virtual gallery.
For NFT collectors, this feature comes in handy. You can track a mint in real time, verify an NFT’s authenticity, or spot trending projects. For creators, it’s a way to see your work ripple across the network.
Timeline magic
Most explorers dump data in tables. Pool.pm uses a timeline, weaving transactions, rewards, and pool updates into a story. See the example visualization of NFTs below:
Pool.pm has been a cornerstone of Cardano’s growth. When NFTs took off on Cardano post-Alonzo, Pool.pm’s token viewer became a hub for tracking mints, earning praise for its real-time updates. It played a crucial role in showcasing stake pool activity and amplifying it’s visibility.
Final Thoughts
Pool.pm not only serves as a blockchain explorer but also a gateway to Cardano’s ecosystem. Whether you’re a user researching different stake pools, an NFT collector tracking mints, or a newcomer exploring Cardano’s potential, Pool.pm offers a clear, real-time lens into the network’s heartbeat. As Cardano evolves, Pool.pm will remain a vital tool, helping users navigate the blockchain with ease and confidence.
