A Comprehensive Guide to ERC-4337: Understanding Account Abstraction in Ethereum

Paulina Lewandowska

28 Mar 2023
A Comprehensive Guide to ERC-4337: Understanding Account Abstraction in Ethereum

If you're involved in the world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, you've probably heard of Ethereum, one of the most popular platforms for developing decentralized applications. Ethereum has been around for a few years now, and while it has been successful in many ways, there are still some limitations to the way it currently operates. That's where ERC-4337 comes in – a proposed Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) that aims to introduce a new feature called "account abstraction" to the Ethereum blockchain. In this article, we'll take a closer look at what ERC-4337 is, how it works, and what it means for users.

Definition of ERC-4337

ERC-4337 is a proposed EIP that aims to introduce account abstraction to the Ethereum blockchain. This would allow smart contracts to directly receive and send funds without the need for an intermediary account.

Overview of Ethereum and its limitations

Before we dive into account abstraction, let's first understand Ethereum and its limitations:

  • Ethereum is a blockchain platform that enables developers to build and deploy decentralized applications, or dApps, on top of it.
  • Ethereum uses a native cryptocurrency called Ether (ETH) to incentivize miners to process transactions and secure the network.
  • Ethereum has some limitations, such as scalability, privacy, and security, that need to be addressed to make it more usable and accessible.

What is Account Abstraction?

Under the current account-based model used in Ethereum, smart contracts cannot directly receive or send funds. Instead, they rely on an intermediary account to execute transactions. Account abstraction, on the other hand, allows smart contracts to have their own unique address, enabling them to directly receive and send funds without an intermediary account. This would enable more complex smart contract interactions and make Ethereum more flexible.

What does ERC-4337 actually mean to you?

If you're looking for a more streamlined and user-friendly experience when it comes to interacting with decentralized apps (dApps) on the Ethereum network, then ERC-4337 might be just what you need. This new standard for contract accounts introduces several benefits that could make your life as a crypto user easier and more efficient.

  • Simplifying Wallet Access: You'll appreciate the simplification of wallet access and logins. With ERC-4337, you won't need to deal with cumbersome private keys or seed phrases when logging in to your wallet. Instead, you can use your Ethereum address as your login ID, making the process much more user-friendly.
  • Recovery Options: You'll have enhanced recovery options in case you lose access to your account. Unlike with traditional Ethereum accounts, ERC-4337 allows you to add recovery addresses to your contract account, giving you more flexibility and security in the event of a lost password or stolen device.
  • Sponsoring Gas Fees:You'll enjoy the option of having your gas fees sponsored, which could save you a significant amount of money in the long run. With ERC-4337, you won't need to worry about paying for gas fees yourself, as a third party can cover them for you in exchange for a small fee.

Benefits of ERC-4337

BenefitsExplanations
Improved user experienceWith account abstraction, users would no longer need to hold and manage multiple accounts for different dApps. Smart contracts would be able to handle their own transactions, simplifying the user experience and making it easier to interact with dApps.
Increased securitySmart contracts would be able to act as account addresses, reducing the risk of hacks and attacks on externally owned accounts, which are currently the only accounts that can initiate transactions in Ethereum. This would enhance the security of the network and protect users' funds.
Easier onboarding for new developersAccount abstraction would make it easier for new developers to build and deploy dApps on Ethereum, as they would no longer need to learn the intricacies of externally owned accounts and gas fees. This would encourage more developers to build on Ethereum and increase the overall growth of the ecosystem.
Interoperability with other blockchainsAccount abstraction would enable Ethereum to be more interoperable with other blockchains that support smart contracts. This would allow for cross-chain interactions and enable developers to build dApps that leverage the strengths of multiple blockchains.

Drawbacks of ERC-4337

Although ERC-4337 offers considerable advantages, adopting it comes with certain risks. First, the added flexibility of this new standard could potentially be exploited. Moreover, compatibility problems with current wallets and applications, along with the necessity for users to trust third parties for their transactions, might present significant challenges. Furthermore, implementing ERC-4337 could demand substantial infrastructure and technical expertise, possibly raising centralization concerns. Lastly, the high expenses of the Ethereum network and the requirement for contract verification may further hinder the adoption of this standard. It is vital that users and developers remain vigilant and conscious of these potential risks while considering the implementation of ERC-4337.

Conclusion

To conclude, ERC-4337 represents a suggested Ethereum Improvement Proposal that incorporates account abstraction into the Ethereum blockchain. This enables smart contracts to directly send and receive funds without requiring an intermediary account. The new feature has the potential to streamline user experience, enhance security, and facilitate the development and deployment of dApps on Ethereum for new developers.

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Blockchain for Creators: Secure and Sustainable Infrastructure

Miłosz Mach

07 Nov 2025
Blockchain for Creators: Secure and Sustainable Infrastructure

In today’s digital creative space, where the lines between art and technology are constantly blurring, projects like MARMALADE mark the beginning of a new era - one where creators can protect their work and maintain ownership through blockchain technology.

For Nextrope, being part of MARMALADE goes far beyond implementing features like screenshot blocking or digital watermarking. It’s about building trust infrastructure - systems that empower creators to thrive in the digital world safely and sustainably.

A new kind of blockchain challenge

Cultural and educational projects come with a completely different set of challenges than typical DeFi systems. Here, the focus isn’t on returns or complex smart contracts - it’s on people: artists, illustrators, educators.

That’s why our biggest task was to design secure yet intuitive infrastructure - lightweight, energy-efficient, and accessible for non-technical users exploring Web3 for the first time.

“Our mission wasn’t to build another financial protocol. It was to create a layer of trust for digital creators.”
— Nextrope Team

Security that stays invisible

The best security is the kind you don’t notice.
Within MARMALADE, we focused on making creators' protection seamless:

  • Screenshot blocking safeguards artworks viewed in browsers.
  • Dynamic watermarking helps identify unauthorized copies.
  • Blockchain registry ensures every proof of ownership remains transparent and immutable

“Creators shouldn’t have to think about encryption or private keys - our job is to make security invisible.”

Sustainability by design

MARMALADE also answers a bigger question - how to innovate responsibly.
Nextrope’s infrastructure relies on low-emission blockchain networks and modular architecture that can easily be adapted for other creative or cultural initiatives.

This means the technology built here can support not only artists but also institutions, universities, and educators seeking to integrate blockchain in meaningful ways.

Beyond technology

For Nextrope, MARMALADE is more than a project — it’s proof that blockchain can empower culture and creators, not just finance. By building tools for digital artists, we’re helping them protect their creativity and discover how technology can amplify human expression.

Plasma blockchain. Architecture, Key Features & Why It Matters

Miłosz Mach

21 Oct 2025
Plasma blockchain. Architecture, Key Features & Why It Matters

What is Plasma?

Plasma is a Layer-1 blockchain built specifically for stablecoin infrastructure combining Bitcoin-level security with EVM compatibility and ultra-low fees for stablecoin transfers.

Why Plasma Blockchain Was Created?

Existing blockchains (Ethereum, L2s, etc.) weren’t originally designed around stablecoin payments at scale. As stablecoins grow, issues like congestion, gas cost, latency, and interoperability become constraints. Plasma addresses these by being purpose-built for stablecoin transfers, offering features not found elsewhere.

  • Zero-fee transfers (especially for USDT)
  • Custom gas tokens (separate from XPL, to reduce friction)
  • Trust-minimized Bitcoin bridge (to allow BTC collateral use)
  • Full EVM compatibility smart contracts can work with minimal modifications

Plasma’s Architecture & Core Mechanisms

EVM Compatibility + Smart Contracts

Developers familiar with Ethereum tooling (Solidity, Hardhat, etc.) can deploy contracts on Plasma with limited changes making it easy to port existing dApps or DeFi, similar to other EVM-compatible infrastructures discussed in the article „The Ultimate Web3 Backend Guide: Supercharge dApps with APIs".

Gas Model & Token Mechanism

Instead of forcing users always to hold XPL for gas, Plasma supports custom gas tokens. For stablecoin-native flows (e.g. USDT transfers), there is often zero fee usage, lowering UX friction.

Bitcoin Bridge & Collateral

Plasma supports a Bitcoin bridge that lets BTC become collateral inside smart contracts (like pBTC). This bridges the security of Bitcoin with DeFi use cases within Plasma.
This makes Plasma a “Bitcoin-secured blockchain for stablecoins".

Security & Finality

Plasma emphasizes finality and security, tuned to payment workloads. Its consensus and architecture aim for strong protection against reorgs and double spends while maintaining high throughput.
The network launched mainnet beta holding over $2B in stablecoin liquidity shortly after opening.

Plasma Blockchain vs Alternatives: What Makes It Stand Out?

FeaturePlasma (XPL)Other L1 / L2
Stablecoin native designusually second-class
Zero fees for stablecoin transfersrare, or subsidized
BTC bridge (collateral)only some chains
EVM compatibilityyes in many, but with trade-offs
High liquidity early✅ (>$2B TVL)many chains struggle to bootstrap

These distinctions make Plasma especially compelling for institutions, stablecoin issuers, and DeFi innovators looking for scalable, low-cost, secure payments infrastructure.

Use Cases: What You Can Build with Plasma Blockchain

  • Stablecoin native vaults / money markets
  • Payment rails & cross-border settlement
  • Treasury and cash management flows
  • Bridged BTC-backed stablecoin services
  • DeFi primitives (DEX, staking, yield aggregation) optimized for stablecoins

If you’re building any product reliant on stablecoin transfers or needing strong collateral backing from BTC, Plasma offers a compelling infrastructure foundation.

Get Started with Plasma Blockchain: Key Steps & Considerations

  1. Smart contract migration: assess if existing contracts can port with minimal changes.
  2. Gas token planning: decide whether to use USDT, separate gas tokens, or hybrid models.
  3. Security & audit: focus on bridge logic, reentrancy, oracle risks.
  4. Liquidity onboarding & market making: bootstrap stablecoin liquidity, incentives.
  5. Regulation & compliance: stablecoin issuance may attract legal scrutiny.
  6. Deploy MVP & scale: iterate fast, measure gas, slippage, UX, security.