We are welcoming you to our weekly digest! Here we discuss the latest trends and advancements in account abstraction, as well as bring some insights from Etherspot’s kitchen.

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Ethereum developers triumph in second attempt to launch Holesky test network

Ethereum developers have successfully launched the anticipated Holesky test network in a second try, marking a notable stride towards enhancing the Ethereum blockchain’s capabilities.

The initial attempt to get the network up and running earlier this month encountered issues, leading to a delay. However, on the subsequent attempt made on a Thursday, the process appeared to go smoothly, with developers expressing optimism about the network’s prospects​​.

The Holesky test network is expected to be a crucial platform for developers to rigorously test ambitious upgrades aimed at significantly boosting Ethereum’s scalability and performance. This test network is particularly crucial as Ethereum continues to solidify its position as a leading platform for decentralized applications.

The new test environment is intended to empower researchers to safely experiment with upgrades and innovations that could potentially propel Ethereum to new heights of functionality and user convenience​​.

Furthermore, the developers noted that a “participation rate” of at least 66% would need to be achieved before the launch could be finalized, indicating a community-driven approach to ensuring the network’s robustness and readiness for broader utilization​​.

Account Abstraction aims to harmonize On- and Off-Chain activity

The concept of account abstraction has surfaced as a promising solution to harmonize on- and off-chain activities within blockchain networks. This mechanism, designed to reduce unnecessary complexity on-chain, has been praised for adding substantial design versatility to the blockchain space​​.

Experts like Chase Chapman and Dune’s headmaster, Andrew Hong, discuss the potential of account abstraction in optimizing user experiences while mitigating centralization risks.

Hong emphasized that while some applications might adopt off-chain solutions for practical reasons, the core essence of blockchain’s decentralized ethos should remain intact.

Uniswap and its new protocol UniswapX were cited as examples where users can opt for gasless transactions through an intent-based system, thus showcasing a practical application of account abstraction.

The dialogue continues in the blockchain community on finding the perfect equilibrium between on-chain and off-chain activities. The goal is to ensure user satisfaction and system efficiency without compromising on the foundational principles of decentralization​​.

Pimlico secures $1.6M pre-seed funding

Pimlico, an infrastructure platform integral to Ethereum’s transition to ERC-4337 smart accounts, recently raised $1.6 million in a pre-seed round spearheaded by 1confirmation, with notable contributions from Safe, Consensys, and over ten angel investors.

The funding is earmarked for the development of cutting-edge smart account infrastructure.

Since Ethereum’s inception in 2015, each native account has been tied to a single private key, making them susceptible to hacks and human errors. Pimlico, a graduate of the a16z crypto’s Crypto Startup School 2023 accelerator program, aims to mitigate these issues by facilitating the new smart accounts era.

These accounts promise enhanced security and user-friendly features like gas sponsorship, multi-signature schemes, and social recovery options, marking a significant stride in Ethereum’s ongoing evolution​.

Flow unveils Protocol Native Account Abstraction

Flow blockchain pioneers again with its recent unveiling of Protocol Native Account Abstraction, designed to significantly enrich the user and developer experience.

This initiative facilitates a bunch of features, including smart accounts that can hold multiple keys, enabling social recovery and walletless onboarding. Moreover, it paves the way for powerful transactions through scriptable transactions, sponsored transaction fees, multi-signature transactions, and parallel-executing transactions.

Flow’s upgrade extends to on-chain automation and security, allowing users and services to interact directly and simply all on-chain, which includes open and secure on-chain services. For instance, it simplifies account management by creating a single account that can aggregate all tokens across sub-accounts with a single transaction, and it also facilitates an easy subscription service for on-chain payments.

Through protocol native account abstraction, Flow is addressing current blockchain constraints and foresees a user-centric blockchain infrastructure​​.

Blocknative’s CEO envisions seamless Web2 to Web3 transition through Account Abstraction

The CEO of Blocknative, Matt Cutler, talks about account abstraction as a monumental upgrade in user experience on the Ethereum network.

According to him, this concept, embodied in the ERC-4337 standard, introduces a new layer atop existing infrastructure, transforming fixed transaction rules into programmable “intents.” This flexibility allows users to pay gas fees with assets like USDC or even off-chain assets like credit cards, bridging the gap between conventional and blockchain-based transactions.

With account abstraction, not only can transactions be bundled according to user intent, but new transaction types emerge, facilitated by a new class of developers termed “bundlers.”

This innovation transcends to real-world scenarios, like artists rewarding superfans using credit cards as account abstraction wallets, making blockchain interactions more intuitive and user-centric.

Cutler’s vision is clear: meeting users in familiar territories, using account abstraction to extend blockchain’s capabilities to everyday experiences, thus nurturing a seamless transition from Web2 to Web3 environments.

Start exploring Account Abstraction with Etherspot!

*Learn more about account abstraction here.
*Head to our docs and read all about Etherspot Prime.
*Skandha — developer-friendly Typescript ERC4337 Bundler.
*Explore our TransactionKit, a React library for fast & simple Web3 development.
*For a plug & play integration, review the BUIDLer react component.
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