Etherscan Launches Monitoring Tools for EIP-7702 Authorizations Following Ethereum's Pectra Upgrade

Ethereum's Pectra upgrade, combining the Prague and Electra updates, went live on May 7, 2025, activating 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), including EIP-7702.

In a move that enhances transparency and user insights, blockchain explorer Etherscan has announced the addition of monitoring tools for EIP-7702 authorizations following Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade.

Pectra, a triple-fork combining the Prague and Electra updates, went live on May 7, 2025, activating 11 EIPs that focused on boosting scalability, security, and user experience. Among these was EIP-7702, focused on introducing hybrid account models to Ethereum.

Prior to Pectra, all transactions were initiated by EOAs, limiting users to the standard Paymaster-style account abstraction seen in ERC-4337. However, EIP-7702 grants EOAs the ability to temporarily delegate transaction execution to smart contracts, thus blending the user-friendliness of externally owned accounts with the advanced functionalities of smart contracts.

To facilitate this delegation, EIP-7702 introduces a “set code transaction” (type 0x04) to Ethereum. This transaction assigns a delegation indicator and a code hash to an EOA, redirecting its operations to the specified contract.

Moreover, users authorize these delegations via an “authorization_list,” a ChainData object that stores information relevant to the Paymaster. Changes to this list are announced through transactions of type 0x05, and the original EOA can always reset the code of the assigned Paymaster with a transaction of type 0x06.

Within the authorization list, users can set limits on the types of transactions the Paymaster can execute on their behalf, such as token transfer or approval transactions.

This allows EOAs to batch transactions, sponsor gas fees for other users, or set custom permissions for specific applications without permanently converting their account.

However, this also opens possibilities for abuse if users delegate to unverified contracts or mishandle nonce management, which could lead to replay attacks.

To mitigate risks, users must actively revoke delegations when they are no longer needed, and applications should provide clear warnings about the potential exploits.

The standard is designed to align closely with existing account abstraction frameworks, ensuring compatibility with various wallets and decentralized apps.

After a deployment on Sepolia testnet earlier in the year, Eip-7702 has now arrived on the mainnet with Pectra, setting the stage for a new era of flexible and user-defined smart contract interactions on Ethereum.

To aid users in navigating this new realm of account abstraction, Etherscan has added a dedicated tab to each address page called "Authorization List."

This tab displays both active and historical authorizations, highlighting the assigned Paymaster contract, the authorization status, and the types of transactions that are permitted.

As Ethereum continues transitioning toward hybrid account models that balance flexibility with user sovereignty, Eip-7702 represents a pivotal step in evolving blockchain technology to be more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.

To maximize the benefits of this new proposal, developers are encouraged to prioritize security audits and user education initiatives.output: Etherscan has updated its explorer with monitoring tools for EIP-7702 authorizations, a new proposal that introduces hybrid externally owned account (EOA) models to Ethereum.

These changes follow Pectra, a triple-fork combining the Prague and Electra updates, which went live on May 7, activating 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs).

Pectra brought several adjustments to the blockchain, including a new hybrid account model via EIP-7702, setting the stage for EOAs to gain capabilities previously limited to smart contracts.

Prior to Pectra, all transactions on Ethereum were initiated by EOAs, the standard user accounts familiar to most crypto users.

While Paymaster-style account abstraction, as seen in ERC-4337, had been developed and deployed by several teams, it remained in the realm of smart contract modules.

However, Pectra brings the ability for EOAs to use code written by third parties to manage their transactions, effectively blending the user-friendliness of EOAs with the advanced functionalities of smart contracts.

To facilitate this delegation, EIP-7702 introduces a “set code transaction” (type 0x04) to Ethereum. This transaction assigns a delegation indicator and a code hash to an EOA, redirecting its operations to the specified contract.

Moreover, users authorize these delegations via an “authorization_list,” a ChainData object that stores information relevant to the Paymaster. Changes to this list are announced through transactions of type 0x05, and the original EOA can always reset the code of the assigned Paymaster with a transaction of type 0x06.

Within the authorization list, users can set limits on the types of transactions the Paymaster can execute on their behalf, such as token transfer or approval transactions