- Ethereum developers have scheduled EIP-8141, known as Frame Transactions, for inclusion in the Hegotá network upgrade planned for 2027.
- The proposal could allow users to send stablecoins and other tokens without holding ETH specifically to pay transaction fees.
- Frames could also bundle multiple transaction steps and allow accounts to use more flexible security rules, including replacing keys without moving assets to a new address.
Ethereum is preparing a major transaction upgrade that could make wallets easier to use and reduce the need for users to hold ETH simply to pay network fees.
Core developers moved EIP-8141, known as Frame Transactions, to Scheduled for Inclusion during their Aug. 27 call.
That means the proposal is now planned for Ethereum’s Hegotá upgrade in 2027, which will follow the Glamsterdam upgrade expected later this year.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, one of the proposal’s 10 authors, said significant progress on Frames has been made over the past several months.
Users Could Pay Fees Without Holding ETH
Ethereum currently requires transaction fees to be paid in ETH.
That can create situations where users have hundreds of dollars in stablecoins or other tokens but cannot move them because their wallet does not contain enough ETH for gas.
Frames would separate different parts of a transaction, including user authorization, fee payment and execution.
As a result, the account sending assets would no longer necessarily need to be the same account paying the transaction fee.
A payments application could cover the gas fee for a user or accept stablecoins and handle the required ETH payment itself. Ethereum validators would still receive fees in ETH, but the user would not necessarily need to own any.
Some wallets already provide similar functionality through third-party services. Frames would bring the capability into Ethereum’s standard transaction process.
Transactions Could Become Simpler and Safer
Frames could also combine actions that currently require multiple transactions.
For example, trading a token often requires users to first approve an application to access the asset and then submit a separate transaction to complete the trade.
Frames could bundle those actions together.
If the trade fails, the associated token approval could also be reversed rather than remaining active after an unsuccessful transaction.
This could simplify Ethereum transactions while reducing risks created by unnecessary token permissions.
Ethereum Accounts Could Gain Flexible Security
The proposal could also introduce major changes to how Ethereum accounts handle security.
Ethereum accounts are currently controlled by private keys that cannot simply be replaced if they are lost or compromised.
Frames would allow accounts to define their own transaction authorization rules.
That could potentially allow users to replace the key controlling an account without moving their assets to another address. It could also create a path toward adopting cryptographic keys designed to withstand future quantum computing attacks.
EIP-8141 remains a draft, meaning its technical details could still change before the Hegotá upgrade. The functionality is not currently available to Ethereum users.
