Ethereum’s ecosystem is undergoing a quiet revolution. With the rollout of the Pectra upgrade and the introduction of EIP-7702, over 26,000 wallets have already transitioned into “smart accounts,” signalling a new chapter in how users interact with the Ethereum network. This shift is not only reshaping user experience but also driving broader adoption of programmable wallets, blurring the lines between EOAs and smart contracts.

EIP-7702: Merging Flexibility with Automation

Historically, Ethereum users had to choose between Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) and smart contract wallets. EOAs, controlled by private keys, could send and receive ETH but lacked the ability to automate processes. In contrast, smart contracts could execute complex transactions but couldn’t initiate them independently.

EIP-7702 changes this paradigm by introducing a hybrid model. It allows EOAs to delegate control to a smart contract without changing their original address. This innovation brings the best of both worlds: the simplicity of EOAs and the powerful programmability of smart contracts.

The result is a new kind of wallet — the smart account — capable of executing scheduled payments, transaction batching, and fee payments in non-ETH tokens. Users can now automate tasks while retaining full flexibility and control.

Pectra Upgrade Sees Surge in Smart Account Adoption

Data compiled by Base analyst 0xKofi from Bundle Bear reveals that more than 26,000 wallets have already activated smart account features. This includes:

• 13,013 smart accounts on Ethereum mainnet

• 5,588 on Optimism

• 5,261 on Binance Smart Chain (BSC)

• 2,851 on Base

• 229 on Gnosis

Collectively, these smart accounts have triggered nearly 124,000 contract authorisations, showing that users are quickly embracing the new functionality. As more dApps and wallets support EIP-7702, adoption is expected to accelerate.

Wallet Providers and Exchanges Lead the Charge

Wallets and exchanges are playing a key role in onboarding users to smart accounts. According to the data, WhiteBIT leads the pack with 6,922 smart account authorisations, followed by MetaMask (5,188) and OKX Wallet (3,452). Unidentified wallets make up another 3,988.

This trend suggests that major platforms are actively integrating EIP-7702 support into their products, simplifying the transition for everyday users.

Smart accounts are also gaining traction on Layer-2 networks like Base and Optimism, which benefit from lower gas fees and faster transaction times. BSC currently leads in active smart contracts (69), followed by Ethereum (66), Base (37), Optimism (9), and Gnosis (6).

Future-Proofing Ethereum Wallets

One of the standout features of EIP-7702 is reversibility. Users who no longer wish to use programmable features can easily revert to a basic EOA by pointing their wallet to a burn contract, effectively disabling the smart contract layer. This opt-in/opt-out model offers unmatched flexibility and user control.

The ability to pay gas fees in ERC-20 tokens is another quality-of-life improvement, especially for newer users who might not always hold ETH. This makes smart accounts more user-friendly and suitable for mainstream adoption.

A New Era of Wallet Experience

The Ethereum Pectra upgrade, anchored by EIP-7702, marks a pivotal step towards making wallets smarter, more secure, and more functional. As over 26,000 users have already discovered, smart accounts are more than a technical enhancement — they represent a fundamental shift in how blockchain wallets operate.

With increasing support from exchanges, wallet providers, and Layer-2 solutions, EIP-7702 is poised to become a cornerstone of Ethereum’s next-generation user experience.