Viewpoint articles present diverse opinions and do not represent the position of “WEB3+”.
The various abstractions of Web3: Key to mass adoption
Abstraction is essentially a simplification process. In the world of Web3, it means hiding complex blockchain operations behind user-friendly interfaces, allowing users to easily use Web3 applications without understanding the underlying technology. This approach not only lowers the entry barrier but also greatly enhances user experience, thereby accelerating the adoption of Web3.
Based on current technological development, we can divide abstraction into three stages:
Stage One, Account Abstraction: Simplifying private key management
Account Abstraction (AA) is the first and most crucial step in the abstraction process of Web3.
Traditional blockchain wallets require users to manage complex private keys, which is a huge challenge for most people.
AA sets the standard for smart contract wallets, bringing the following benefits:
1. Simpler user authentication: Users can manage their crypto assets using familiar methods (such as email, phone number, or social media accounts).
2. Higher security: Through mechanisms like multi-signature and social recovery, the risk of asset loss is significantly reduced.
3. More flexible transaction handling: Support for batch transactions and automation operations increases efficiency and reduces costs.
4. Better user experience: Enables transactions without Gas fees, allowing users to focus on the application itself rather than complex blockchain operations.
After EIP-4337, several important improvements we can focus on include:
1. EIP-3074: This proposal allows existing externally owned accounts (EOA) to upgrade to AA-supported accounts. It requires changes to the EVM and introduces new opcodes.
2. EIP-7702: An improved version of EIP-3074, EIP-7702 does not require new opcodes, can be used in conjunction with ERC-4337, requires minimal changes, and allows for temporary upgrades to account abstraction wallets, reducing upgrade risks.
Stage Two, Blockchain Abstraction: Eliminating public chain borders, freely transferring assets
The core goal of AA is to simplify user experience and lower the barrier to Web3 usage. However, as more blockchain projects emerge, seamless interaction between different chains becomes an important UX issue.
It mainly involves abstraction of network transaction fees, signature abstraction, and Nonce abstraction.
These abstraction processes make blockchain operations more intuitive and secure for end users, for example:
Gasless transactions allow users to execute transactions without owning or managing native tokens, significantly improving user experience.
Gas token abstraction allows users to pay transaction fees with any ERC20 token without holding specific native tokens. This not only increases user convenience but also paves the way for cross-chain operations.
Signature abstraction aims to enhance transaction security and transparency. Traditional EOAs typically require users to sign hexadecimal strings that are difficult to understand. By implementing specifications like EIP-712, users can have a clearer understanding of what they are signing, including the called contract and chain ID messages.
Nonce abstraction resolves issues caused by linear nonce. By implementing concepts like 2D Nonce, users can send transactions concurrently, greatly improving user experience in scenarios like multi-signature.
Stage Three, Ultimate Goal: Seamless Web3
Blockchain abstraction is the ultimate goal of Web3 abstraction.
The introduction of ERC-4337 marks the beginning of bringing more possibilities to smart contract wallets, such as session keys, multi-signatures, and arbitrary logic execution. Most importantly, it provides a standardized way to implement these features, contributing to ecosystem unity and development.
At this stage, blockchain technology will be fully integrated into our daily lives and business activities, and users may not even realize they are using blockchain:
1. Seamless user experience: Users can use Web3 applications like traditional apps without needing to understand any blockchain-related concepts.
2. Comprehensive data sovereignty: Users have full control over their data and can freely transfer and use it between different applications.
3. New business models: Based on blockchain characteristics, production relationships will change, leading to new business models and organizational forms.
