Chain visualization is like turning a spreadsheet of transactions into a colorful network graph. Tools such as BlockSci, GraphSense, or OXT allow analysts to see flows between addresses, identify clusters, and produce intuitive diagrams for academic research or corporate compliance.

Visualizations can highlight large movements, suspicious patterns, or connections between apparently unrelated addresses. They’re used in audits, regulatory investigations, and even investor presentations. However, creating these graphs can require deep domain knowledge—overly simplistic visuals might gloss over complex relationships or privacy techniques. Still, visualization remains a powerful method for illuminating Bitcoin’s open ledger.