What Is EIP-7702?

EIP-7702 is an Ethereum proposal that upgrades how Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) function on the network. EOAs are standard Ethereum accounts that send transactions and interact with smart contracts but lack advanced capabilities such as transaction batching or gas sponsorship.
This proposal gives EOAs the ability to temporarily behave like smart contracts by linking them to a specific delegation address. Through this approach, EIP-7702 combines the simplicity of regular wallets with the flexibility of contract-based accounts. It was introduced to address some of the limitations found in earlier proposals like EIP-3074 and is expected to launch during the Ethereum Pectra upgrade in May 2025.

How It Works

EIP-7702 expands EOA functionality by introducing delegated authorization. The user signs an authorization that points to a delegation address containing executable smart contract code. Once submitted, this code enhances the EOA with new abilities such as batching transactions, enabling gas sponsorship, or allowing alternative authentication methods.

Transaction Preparation
A user creates a transaction with standard parameters such as destination, gas limit, and data. They then include an authorization that references the chosen delegation address, temporarily linking their EOA to that contract’s logic.

Authorization
The transaction signature includes an authorization list that defines the delegation address and the conditions under which it operates. This ensures that only verified and time-bound permissions are granted.

Execution
When the network processes the transaction, the smart contract at the delegation address executes on behalf of the EOA. This temporarily upgrades the account with advanced features while maintaining the user’s control and security.

Benefits

Smart Contract Features for EOAs: Grants regular wallets capabilities like transaction batching, gas sponsorship, and programmable spending limits.
Enhanced Security: Authorizations are chain-specific, nonce-bound, and revocable, ensuring safe and temporary delegation.
Better User Experience: Allows users to perform multiple actions in one step, save on gas fees, and recover accounts more easily.
Flexibility and Innovation: Opens the door for mobile authentication, automated payments, and wallet recovery mechanisms without migrating to new accounts.

Conclusion

EIP-7702 bridges the gap between Externally Owned Accounts and smart contract wallets, offering users a more powerful and secure way to interact with Ethereum. By introducing delegated authorization, this proposal makes account management simpler, safer, and more flexible. EIP-7702 is a major step toward full account abstraction, reshaping how users manage assets and interact with the Ethereum network.