TLDR
- The Ethereum Foundation has added support for Clear Signing to improve the security of wallet transactions.
- A clear signature replaces unreadable transaction data with human-readable consent details.
- ERC-7730 will be the common format for Ethereum transaction descriptions.
- The Foundation supports Clearsigning.org as a registry of contract descriptors.
- Wallets can use verified descriptors to show users what a transaction will do.
The Ethereum Foundation has launched support for Clear Signing, a security framework designed to help users understand cryptocurrency transactions before approving them.
The effort aims to reduce the risks associated with blind signing, a shared wallet process where users approve transactions that display raw technical data rather than explicit instructions. Security researchers have long warned that blind signing can expose users to phishing attacks, wallet drain, and malicious smart contracts.
A clear signature changes that experience by showing human-readable transaction details. Instead of displaying unreadable contact data, the wallet could display a message like, “You are exchanging 100 USDC for 0.05 ETH on Uniswap,” or “You are granting access to this contract.”
The goal is to support the “what you see is what you expect” model across wallets and decentralized applications, the Ethereum Foundation said. The organization positions itself as a neutral coordinator of accreditation, standards and common tools.
Clear signing goals. Risks of blind signing
Blind signing has become one of the most serious security problems facing the user in the field of cryptography. Many wallet approvals require users to trust an app without fully understanding what the transaction will do.
Attackers often exploit this vulnerability by creating fake websites, malicious links, or compromised applications that trick users into agreeing to risky transactions. Once approved, these transactions can transfer funds, grant token permissions, or expose wallets to theft in the future.
The Ethereum Foundation pointed to large attacks, including the Bybit hack, as examples of how blind signing can be abused. In this case, the attackers reportedly used the malicious transaction approval process to steal funds.
A clear signature does not remove all transaction risks, but it does give users clearer information before agreeing. It also gives wallets a more consistent way to display the meaning of transactions across different applications and contracts.
The standard is especially important as Ethereum expands toward more mainstream and institutional users. Larger users often need clearer controls, audit trails, and permissions visibility before using blockchain applications on a large scale.
ERC-7730 becomes a common format
The Ethereum Foundation has named ERC-7730 as a common format for structured transaction descriptions. The standard was originally proposed by Ledger and is designed to give wallets a common way to read and view transaction details.
The Foundation also supports Clearsigning.org, a public registry where contract descriptors can be submitted, reviewed, and distributed. These descriptors explain what transactions do in a human-readable form.
Developers can provide descriptors for their smart contracts. Independent security experts can review and authenticate this information. Wallets can then use verified descriptions from the history and show users clearer consent prompts.
Descriptors work off-chain, meaning Clear Signing can work with existing smart contracts without having to redeploy those contracts. This makes this approach more practical for widespread adoption across the current Ethereum ecosystem.
The Ethereum Foundation also hosts tool libraries to help wallets, developers, and security teams integrate Clear Signing into their products.
Urging governors and developers to adopt it
Clear Signing’s success depends on adoption across wallets, decentralized applications, and security providers. The Ethereum Foundation encouraged developers to provide accurate descriptions of their transactions and asked security experts to review submissions.
Many ecosystem contributors have supported the work, including ZKnox, Sourcefy, Cyfrin, Zama, WalletConnect, Fireblocks, Trezor, Keycard, MetaMask, Argot, and independent developers.
The effort is part of a broader push by the Ethereum Foundation to improve security and user experience. The nonprofit recently created the Trillion Dollar Security Initiative and launched a $1 million audit subsidy to help reduce the cost of security audits.
The foundation has also increased research into privacy and post-quantum security, reflecting the growing need for stronger infrastructure as Ethereum handles greater financial activity.
