<h3>Introduction to Account Abstraction</h3><p>Account abstraction refers to a concept in blockchain and cryptocurrency technology, specifically in the context of smart contracts. In traditional systems, user accounts typically have a balance associated with them, and transactions involve transferring value between these accounts.</p><p>With account abstraction, an account is not just a container for a balance; it’s also an intelligent entity capable of performing complex computations and executing code, known as smart contracts. This abstraction enables developers to create decentralized applications (DApps) that go beyond value transfers, allowing for the implementation of intricate and decentralized business logic.</p><h4><br /></h4><h4>EOAs vs. Contract Accounts</h4><p>In Ethereum, there are two main types of accounts: Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) and Contract Accounts. Let's take a quick look at them:</p><p><strong>Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs): </strong>These accounts are the most basic type of account and they are controlled by private keys owned by individuals or entities. When you create a new Ethereum wallet, you essentially create an EOA. When performing transactions initiated by EOAs, a signature from the associated private key is required to validate the transaction on the network.</p><p><strong>Contract Accounts: </strong>These accounts hold code that is executed when triggered by a transaction. Contract accounts don't have private keys; instead, they are controlled by the rules written in the smart contract code. Contract accounts can hold and manage Ether, and they can interact with other smart contracts or EOAs based on the logic defined in their code.</p><p>EOAs have significant limitations in terms of user experience (UX) and flexibility, which limits mass adoption. The key-based control creates poor UX, security vulnerabilities, and leaves transaction validation solely in the protocol’s domain. Besides, in environments where EOAs persist, the full potential of Account Abstraction may not be realized because applications must still accommodate EOAs.</p><p>Account Abstraction offers a more user-friendly approach to account management, minimizing reliance on private keys and enhancing the overall user experience. Starknet, with its core focus on Account Abstraction, is at the forefront of driving this evolution.</p><p><br /></p><h3>Starknet’s Native Account Abstraction</h3><p>Starknet distinguishes itself by having native Account Abstraction, where all accounts are contract accounts. This contrasts with <a href="https://crypto.com/university/ethereum-erc-4337-standard-account-abstraction" target="_blank">Ethereum’s ERC-4337</a>, which supplements but doesn't replace the legacy of Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs).</p><p>Starknet’s implementation of Account Abstraction removes the complexities associated with bridging the gap between traditional accounts and smart contracts. It’s an ideal environment for developers to build innovative applications without the constraints of EOAs. <a href="https://www.starknet.io/en/posts/ecosystem/the-starknet-stacks-growth-spurt" target="_blank">Starknet's infrastructure</a>, including <a href="https://www.starknet.io/en/ecosystem/wallets" target="_blank">wallets</a> and <a href="https://www.starknet.io/en/ecosystem/block-explorers-indexers-and-enhanced-api" target="_blank">block explorers</a>, is inherently designed for Account Abstraction, providing a cohesive and efficient ecosystem for development.</p><h4><br /></h4><h4>The Three Pillars of Account Abstraction</h4><p>There are three key components of Account Abstraction, and each one has its specific role in improving the overall user experience: Signature Abstraction, Fee Abstraction, and Nonce Abstraction.</p><ul><li><strong>Signature Abstraction: </strong>Empowers developers to define transaction’s validity, enabling a more personalized account management experience. Real-world applications using signature abstraction are already operating on Starknet, offering a Web-2 like experience by enabling Face ID, signing transactions through email and more. </li><li><strong>Paymaster:</strong> A feature to be implemented soon, it will enable the use of different tokens for paying transaction fees, without being restricted to the network’s native token. For example, a user could use USDC to pay transaction fees, thereby avoiding the need to convert USDC to the native token and saving on exchange fees and time.</li><li><strong>Nonce Abstraction: </strong>Focused on user comfort and convenience. Traditional sequential nonce solutions have UX drawbacks, such as restricting users from sending multiple independent transactions simultaneously. Nonce Abstraction is set to be implemented soon, offering the capability to customize the account's replay-protection mechanism for enhanced flexibility.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>Starknet's emphasis on Account Abstraction makes it a frontrunner in blockchain innovation, offering developers a unique opportunity to shape the future of decentralized applications and digital economies.</p><p>You can learn more about Starknet and Native Account Abstraction by exploring <a href="https://starkware.co/resource/native-account-abstraction-opening-blockchain-to-new-possibilities/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><br /></p><h3><em>About Starkware</em></h3><p><a href="https://starkware.co/" target="_blank"><em>Starkware</em></a><em> is a leading blockchain company that specializes in zk-rollup technology and scaling the Ethereum blockchain. Starknet is Starkware’s powerful validity-rollup network that operates on top of Ethereum, bringing scalability, security, and improved security to the blockchain.</em></p>

What is Account Abstraction in web3 and why Starknet distinguishes itself by having native Account Abstraction.