# Etherscan Basics

When reading a contract on Etherscan, you have the option to access the `Read` and `Write` functions of that contract.

`Read` functions allow you to access data and information stored by the contract. 

`Write` functions allow you to interact with the contract using your own wallet (MetaMask/WalletConnect) and trigger transactions on the contract.

{% hint style="info" %}
Bancor contracts are using `Proxy` which means you will need to use the `Read as Proxy` and `Write as Proxy` options to interact with the contract
{% endhint %}

### How to Connect to Etherscan

1. Navigate to [etherscan.io](https://etherscan.io/)
2. Search for an address. You can also search for a token symbol (e.g., '`BNT`') in some cases. \
   If the address you are viewing belongs to a contract, the option to view the contract will appear. 
3. Click **Contract** to view the available functions.\
    ![](https://273705617-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FC9gDtGR2KNhur3c7qIJR%2Fuploads%2FZqCiegkX5vMjvzN139zF%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=5feb4bf5-3aed-4c60-b657-1c394031bb0a)\
   A new section will appear with the `Read` and `Write` options:\
   ![](https://273705617-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FC9gDtGR2KNhur3c7qIJR%2Fuploads%2F60N2gpNXINlZjgc3DOaE%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=e30c4682-f42c-4c9c-8415-e4d88a8fce17)\
   \
   You can interact with the `Read` section without connecting your wallet.<br>
4. Click **Write Contract** or **Write as Proxy**. \
   An option to connect your wallet will appear:\
   ![](https://273705617-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FC9gDtGR2KNhur3c7qIJR%2Fuploads%2F5OQmfNYFD1rsjpGN5ToQ%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=4c12c0f0-e498-462d-b3c9-fc76b50a3db3)
5. Click **Connect to Web3** to open the wallet selection menu:\
   ![](https://273705617-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FC9gDtGR2KNhur3c7qIJR%2Fuploads%2FtSxgtGJZ9iC5NUl73zzK%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=f1e4136e-7872-41e1-87e3-70bb460e9971)
6. Connect your wallet using one of the available options.\
   If the connection succeeds, the indication will turn green and enable interaction:\
   ![](https://273705617-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FC9gDtGR2KNhur3c7qIJR%2Fuploads%2FagXTaafnDDOEMc2kOx6f%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=2b642075-a6d9-4e68-a1c1-043b4cdd1b77)

{% hint style="info" %}
When inputting numbers you should always use the `WEI` format.\
e.g., 1 ETH should be written as 1+10^18 (`1000000000000000000`)
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Always ensure you use the correct number of decimals for the token you are interacting with.

e.g., USDC has 6 decimals which means the correct input for 1 USDC in `WEI` = 1+10^6 (`1000000`)

*Not sure about the token decimal,* [*check this guide*](https://info.etherscan.com/understanding-token-page/)
{% endhint %}