Ethereum and Base are moving forward with different approaches to the next generation of crypto wallets after months of discussions failed to produce a shared standard.
Ethereum is proceeding with EIP-8141, known as Frame Transactions, while Coinbase-backed Base is supporting its own proposal, EIP-8130. The split means wallets and applications designed to operate across both networks could eventually need to accommodate two different transaction frameworks.
The original effort aimed to establish common wallet rules across the two ecosystems. Developers wanted to make blockchain wallets more similar to modern apps by introducing features such as passkeys, flexible account recovery, sponsored fees and bundled transactions.
Under the proposed designs, users could also avoid keeping ETH solely to cover network fees.
Why the Joint Approach Failed
The discussions ultimately ran into differences over what each blockchain needed from a wallet and transaction system.
Derek Chiang, an Ethlabs developer who participated in the discussions, said the teams understood the advantages of interoperability but prioritized the core objectives of their individual networks. Ethereum wanted a design optimized for Ethereum, while Base wanted one tailored to Base.
The cooperation ended last week after developers concluded that a single framework would require one side to sacrifice features it considered important.
Both EIP-8141 and EIP-8130 seek to change how blockchain transactions are authorized and executed. Among the issues they address are transaction approval, fee payment and the actions that can follow authorization.
Ethereum’s approach puts greater emphasis on privacy, censorship resistance and security as wallets become increasingly programmable. EIP-8141 is also intended to make it easier to transition away from Ethereum’s existing wallet cryptography if advances in quantum computing eventually threaten its security.
Base is taking a more flexible approach aimed at supporting high transaction volumes and a wider range of applications. Its design can also accommodate use cases that may have specific compliance requirements.
Ethereum Pushes EIP-8141 Forward
Ethereum plans to take Frame Transactions toward the Hegotá upgrade, which is expected to follow Glamsterdam later this year. Earlier this month, the Ethereum Foundation identified EIP-8141 as one of the execution-layer features it wants to ship with Hegotá.
However, the proposal remains in development, so its inclusion is not guaranteed and the feature is not yet live on Ethereum.
Base is advancing EIP-8130 separately. Its design is available for testing on the Vibenet development network and is planned for the Cobalt upgrade, with testnet and mainnet deployments listed for September.
The breakdown of the shared-standard effort changes the expected path for Ethereum-based networks. Instead of inheriting the same wallet rules, Ethereum and Base are now developing transaction systems around their own priorities.
For wallet developers and applications supporting both ecosystems, that could mean building around two different sets of rules rather than relying on a single common standard.
