diff --git a/lnbits/core/views/blockexplorer_api.py b/lnbits/core/views/blockexplorer_api.py
index f8ad9b251..cad30405c 100644
--- a/lnbits/core/views/blockexplorer_api.py
+++ b/lnbits/core/views/blockexplorer_api.py
@@ -2,9 +2,10 @@ import asyncio
 from http import HTTPStatus
 from typing import Any
 
-from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, WebSocket
+from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException, Request, Security, WebSocket
 from loguru import logger
 
+from lnbits.decorators import KeyChecker, KeyType, api_key_header, api_key_query
 from lnbits.settings import settings
 from lnbits.utils.electrum import (
     AddressResponse,
@@ -35,6 +36,20 @@ def _check_enabled() -> None:
         )
 
 
+async def _check_api_access(
+    request: Request,
+    key_header: str = Security(api_key_header),
+    key_query: str = Security(api_key_query),
+) -> None:
+    _check_enabled()
+    if not settings.lnbits_blockexplorer_public_api:
+        checker = KeyChecker(
+            api_key=key_header or key_query,
+            expected_key_type=KeyType.invoice,
+        )
+        await checker(request)
+
+
 def _client() -> ElectrumClient:
     return ElectrumClient(settings.lnbits_blockexplorer_electrum_url)
 
@@ -66,9 +81,8 @@ async def _tx_status(
 # ---- REST ----
 
 
-@blockexplorer_router.get("/blocks")
+@blockexplorer_router.get("/blocks", dependencies=[Depends(_check_api_access)])
 async def api_blocks() -> list[BlockInfo]:
-    _check_enabled()
     try:
         async with _client() as c:
             tip = await c.get_tip()
@@ -84,9 +98,8 @@ async def api_blocks() -> list[BlockInfo]:
         raise HTTPException(HTTPStatus.SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE, detail=str(e)) from e
 
 
-@blockexplorer_router.get("/tip")
+@blockexplorer_router.get("/tip", dependencies=[Depends(_check_api_access)])
 async def api_tip() -> BlockHeader:
-    _check_enabled()
     try:
         async with _client() as c:
             return await c.get_tip()
@@ -94,9 +107,8 @@ async def api_tip() -> BlockHeader:
         raise HTTPException(HTTPStatus.SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE, detail=str(e)) from e
 
 
-@blockexplorer_router.get("/fees")
+@blockexplorer_router.get("/fees", dependencies=[Depends(_check_api_access)])
 async def api_fees() -> FeeResponse:
-    _check_enabled()
     try:
         async with _client() as c:
             estimates_raw = await asyncio.gather(
@@ -116,9 +128,8 @@ async def api_fees() -> FeeResponse:
         raise HTTPException(HTTPStatus.SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE, detail=str(e)) from e
 
 
-@blockexplorer_router.get("/tx/{txid}")
+@blockexplorer_router.get("/tx/{txid}", dependencies=[Depends(_check_api_access)])
 async def api_tx(txid: str) -> Transaction:
-    _check_enabled()
     try:
         async with _client() as c:
             raw_hex = await c.get_transaction(txid)
@@ -127,9 +138,8 @@ async def api_tx(txid: str) -> Transaction:
         raise HTTPException(HTTPStatus.SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE, detail=str(e)) from e
 
 
-@blockexplorer_router.get("/address/{address}")
+@blockexplorer_router.get("/address/{address}", dependencies=[Depends(_check_api_access)])
 async def api_address(address: str) -> AddressResponse:
-    _check_enabled()
     try:
         scripthash = scripthash_from_address(address)
     except ValueError as e:
diff --git a/lnbits/settings.py b/lnbits/settings.py
index 90d1b30ab..62ca61a1f 100644
--- a/lnbits/settings.py
+++ b/lnbits/settings.py
@@ -847,6 +847,7 @@ class NodeUISettings(LNbitsSettings):
 
 class BlockExplorerSettings(LNbitsSettings):
     lnbits_blockexplorer_enabled: bool = Field(default=False)
+    lnbits_blockexplorer_public_api: bool = Field(default=False)
     lnbits_blockexplorer_electrum_url: str = Field(
         default="ssl://electrum.blockstream.info:50002"
     )
diff --git a/lnbits/static/i18n/en.js b/lnbits/static/i18n/en.js
index 980f2e6fd..4432ae668 100644
--- a/lnbits/static/i18n/en.js
+++ b/lnbits/static/i18n/en.js
@@ -846,6 +846,9 @@ window.localisation.en = {
   enable_block_explorer: 'Enable Block Explorer',
   block_explorer_desc:
     'Allow users to explore Bitcoin transactions and addresses via Electrum.',
+  blockexplorer_public_api: 'Public API Access',
+  blockexplorer_public_api_desc:
+    'Allow unauthenticated access to the block explorer API endpoints.',
   electrum_server_url: 'Electrum Server URL',
   electrum_server_url_hint:
     'e.g. ssl://electrum.blockstream.info:50002 or tcp://localhost:50001',
diff --git a/lnbits/templates/components/admin/blockexplorer.vue b/lnbits/templates/components/admin/blockexplorer.vue
index 311ca7833..4f5ea1455 100644
--- a/lnbits/templates/components/admin/blockexplorer.vue
+++ b/lnbits/templates/components/admin/blockexplorer.vue
@@ -23,6 +23,26 @@
             ></q-item-label>
           </q-item-section>
         </q-item>
+        <q-item tag="label" v-ripple>
+          <q-item-section avatar>
+            <q-toggle
+              size="md"
+              v-model="formData.lnbits_blockexplorer_public_api"
+              checked-icon="check"
+              color="green"
+              unchecked-icon="clear"
+            />
+          </q-item-section>
+          <q-item-section>
+            <q-item-label
+              v-text="$t('blockexplorer_public_api')"
+            ></q-item-label>
+            <q-item-label
+              caption
+              v-text="$t('blockexplorer_public_api_desc')"
+            ></q-item-label>
+          </q-item-section>
+        </q-item>
       </div>
     </div>
     <q-separator class="q-mb-lg q-mt-sm"></q-separator>