How to Get All ERC-20 Tokens Owned by an Address: A Comprehensive Guide

Tracking ERC-20 token balances is a crucial task for developers, traders, and enthusiasts in the Ethereum ecosystem. Whether you’re an individual looking to manage your assets or a business requiring comprehensive asset tracking, accessing this information accurately and efficiently is essential. This guide will walk you through the process of retrieving ERC-20 tokens owned by a specific address using various APIs, such as Chainbase, Alchemy, and Moralis.

Why Track ERC-20 Tokens?

Importance of Tracking

ERC-20 tokens represent a significant portion of the assets on the Ethereum blockchain. Being able to track these tokens helps in managing portfolios, conducting audits, and ensuring transparency in transactions.

Use Cases

1. Portfolio Management: Keep track of all assets in a single wallet.
2. Audits: Verify holdings for compliance and reporting purposes.
3. Security: Monitor unauthorized transactions or changes in holdings.

Using APIs to Track ERC-20 Tokens

Overview of API Providers

1. Chainbase: Offers comprehensive blockchain data APIs.
2. Alchemy: Provides robust tools for interacting with Ethereum.
3. Moralis: Known for its enterprise-grade Web3 APIs.

Step-by-Step Guide Using Chainbase

Step 1: Create an Account and Obtain an API Key

1. Register on the Chainbase platform.
2. Log in and navigate to the dashboard.
3. Create a new project and obtain your API key.

Step 2: Write the API Script

Using JavaScript and the Axios library, create a script to make HTTP requests to Chainbase’s API.

const axios = require('axios');

const address = '0xYourEthereumAddress';

const apiKey = 'YourChainbaseAPIKey';

axios.get(`https://api.chainbase.online/v1/account/${address}/tokens`, {

  headers: { 'Authorization': `Bearer ${apiKey}` }

})

.then(response => {

  console.log(response.data);

})

.catch(error => {

  console.error(error);

});

Step 3: Execute the Script

Run the script in your terminal to retrieve and display the token balances.

node yourScript.js

Step-by-Step Guide Using Alchemy

Step 1: Set Up Node and NPM

Install Node.js and NPM on your machine.

sudo apt install nodejs npm

Step 2: Create an Alchemy Account and App

1. Sign up for an Alchemy account.
2. Create a new app in the Alchemy dashboard.
3. Obtain the HTTP URL and API key.

Step 3: Initialize a Node Project

Set up your Node.js project and install Axios.

mkdir alchemy-project

cd alchemy-project

npm init -y

npm install axios

Step 4: Write the API Script

Create a script to fetch token balances using Alchemy’s API.

const axios = require('axios');

const address = '0xYourEthereumAddress';

const apiKey = 'YourAlchemyAPIKey';

axios.get(`https://eth-mainnet.alchemyapi.io/v2/${apiKey}`, {

  params: { 'module': 'account', 'action': 'tokentx', 'address': address }

})

.then(response => {

  console.log(response.data);

})

.catch(error => {

  console.error(error);

});

Step 5: Run the Script

Execute the script to view the token balances.

node yourScript.js

Step-by-Step Guide Using Moralis

Step 1: Set Up Moralis and Obtain an API Key

1. Install Node.js and NPM.
2. Sign up for a Moralis account and get the API key.

Step 2: Write the API Script

Use the Moralis API to fetch token balances.

const axios = require('axios');

const address = '0xYourEthereumAddress';

const apiKey = 'YourMoralisAPIKey';

axios.get(`https://deep-index.moralis.io/api/v2/${address}/erc20`, {

  headers: { 'X-API-Key': apiKey }

})

.then(response => {

  console.log(response.data);

})

.catch(error => {

  console.error(error);

});

Step 3: Execute the Script

Run the script to retrieve the token balances.

node yourScript.js

Conclusion

Tracking ERC-20 token balances is essential for managing cryptocurrency assets effectively. By leveraging APIs from providers like Chainbase, Alchemy, and Moralis, you can automate and streamline this process. Whether you’re a developer or an investor, understanding how to retrieve these balances will enhance your ability to manage and secure your digital assets.