Chain Abstraction: The Third Stage Innovation of Blockchain Architecture

Chain abstraction represents a new stage in the development of Blockchain technology, and its meaning goes far beyond surface understanding. Although industry insiders often equate it with a combination of liquidity pool bridges, account abstraction, and social account logins, this simplification may limit our deeper understanding of its essence.

In the evolution of blockchain architecture, chain abstraction represents the transition from monolithic chains to modular public chains, and now to the integration of the current stage. It is not just an improvement at the user experience level, but a comprehensive paradigm shift that encompasses infrastructure and middleware.

Abstraction is a common method for simplifying complex systems in computer engineering. In the blockchain field, chain abstraction aims to simplify complex processes such as mnemonic management, gas fee payments, and cross-chain operations, making them easier for users to understand and operate. This innovation is not only reflected in the surface-level user interactions but also delves deeper into the underlying architecture.

In the field of cross-chain bridges, we have seen the emergence of new solutions. In addition to traditional messaging and liquidity pool models, the emerging Solver Network and Filler Network models separate cross-chain messaging from liquidity provision. Some platforms have also introduced AI agents as automated arbitrageurs to achieve instant cross-chain settlement.

In the upcoming Pectra upgrade of Ethereum, the EIP7702 proposal will bring the flexibility of smart contracts to EOA addresses. This means that regular user accounts will be able to utilize advanced features such as multi-signature, custom batch transactions, and one-click cyclical staking and lending.

In the wallet space, new technology allows users to create smart contract wallets with the same address across multiple EVM-compatible chains with a single signature, greatly simplifying the complexity of managing multi-chain assets for users.

Overall, chain abstraction represents a comprehensive upgrade of blockchain technology. This transformation may initially be subtle, but over time, it will profoundly reshape the architecture of blockchain and the landscape of the Web3 industry. This evolution is not linear and uniform; rather, it is a process that may bring about breakthrough innovations and exponential growth.