Why do I see an Ethereum token approval but no visible token transfer?

Approving a spender changes permission on the token contract; it does not automatically transfer your coins. A later contract call may use that permission.

The answer

Approving a spender changes permission on the token contract; it does not automatically transfer your coins. A later contract call may use that permission.

What to do next

Inspect the transaction method and approved spender in the explorer. Revoke any unknown allowance and move at-risk assets if the wallet was compromised.

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Ledger hardware wallet

Relevant hardware-backed signing for supported assets; it does not eliminate gas fees, contract vulnerabilities or approval risks.

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Frequently asked questions

Does an approval show the same recipient as a normal payment?

Not necessarily. It authorises a spender contract rather than directly paying a recipient.

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