👀What is it?

What's account abstraction, anyway?

Users interact with Ethereum using externally owned accounts (EOAs). This is the only way to start a transaction or execute a smart contract. This limits how users can interact with Ethereum. For example, it makes it difficult to do batches of transactions and requires users to always keep an ETH balance to cover gas. EOAs also require a good understanding of how a blockchain works to be used safely, which can be a barrier for some users.

Account abstraction is a blockchain technology that allows users to use smart contracts as their accounts. SC accounts offer a solution to the above issues by providing a better user experience. They allow for the usage of arbitrary logic by the user, such as batching multiple operations into a single transaction, alternative authentication & gas payment methods, etc. The goal here is not only to make accounts far more secure & flexible, but to abstract day-to-day burdens from users, and expand overall capabilities - whilst retaining the trustless nature of the blockchain.